Final answer:
Pulmonary fibrosis is the disease characterized by thickened alveolar membranes and decreased lung compliance, making it difficult for patients to exhale air normally.
Step-by-step explanation:
The disease that results in thickened alveolar membranes and decreased lung compliance is known as pulmonary fibrosis. Pulmonary fibrosis is a type of restrictive lung disease where the lungs become stiff or fibrotic, leading to reduced lung compliance. This means that the lung tissue cannot bend and move normally. As a result, the intrapleural pressure becomes more positive than usual, causing the airways to collapse upon exhalation and thus trapping air in the lungs. The Forced or Functional Vital Capacity (FVC) is significantly lower in patients with pulmonary fibrosis than in healthy individuals, and their ability to exhale air is greatly compromised.