Final answer:
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive lung disease that leads to obstructed airflow and breathing difficulties. It encompasses chronic bronchitis and emphysema, resulting in symptoms such as shortness of breath and chronic cough with phlegm. Complications like pneumonia and respiratory acidosis can further impair breathing and blood oxygenation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding COPD and Respiratory Complications
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive inflammatory lung disease that obstructs airflow from the lungs and is commonly caused by smoking, although exposure to air pollution, genetic factors, and respiratory infections can also contribute. Patients with COPD often experience a persistent cough with phlegm, shortness of breath, and difficulty performing everyday activities such as climbing stairs.
COPD includes conditions such as chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Chronic bronchitis refers to the symptoms of COPD such as cough and sputum production, while emphysema refers to the destruction of alveoli, which leads to air trapping and reduced gas exchange in the lungs. This impaired gas exchange can result in hypoxemia (lower-than-normal blood oxygen levels) and hypercapnia (too much carbon dioxide in the blood).
Complications like respiratory infections can exacerbate symptoms and may present as pneumonia, which fills the lungs with mucus, further reducing oxygenation. In more severe cases, a condition known as respiratory acidosis can develop where the blood becomes too acidic due to elevated levels of carbon dioxide. Treatment typically involves a combination of medication, pulmonary rehabilitation, and lifestyle modifications such as quitting smoking.