Chronic bronchitis and emphysema difference

As both conditions affect the lungs, both chronic bronchitis and emphysema are marked by similar symptoms of shortness of breath and wheezing, Left untreated, both conditions may result in a lack of oxygen in the blood stream, and bluish discoloration of the skin, nails, and lips, called cyanosisDecreased oxygen can also damage the heart and lead to swelling in the legs and ankles ( peripheral edema. There are some differences, however, particularly in the late stages of the diseases. Symptoms Specific to Emphysema Emphysema refers to the damage and destruction done to the walls of the alveoli, the tiny air spaces in the lungs where oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged during the breathing process. The alveoli provide oxygen to the bloodstream so when they are destroyed, it is difficult for the person with emphysema to breathe. Diagnosis One main difference between chronic bronchitis and emphysema is that chronic bronchitis has a specific diagnosis—someone who has a chronic cough with mucus production every day for at least three months, for two years in a row. On the other hand, emphysema is a pathological term that refers to the actual damage to the alveoli. A Word From Verywell Even though both types of COPD are usually progressive, meaning they often get worse over time, the good news is that there are therapies like inhalers, oxygen, and pulmonary rehabilitation that can improve your quality of life. In addition, you can also be proactive in your care by not smokin...

Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are airflow-limited states contained within the disease state known as [ [ Emphysema is pathologically defined as an abnormal permanent enlargement of air spaces distal to the terminal bronchioles, accompanied by the destruction of alveolar walls and without obvious fibrosis. [ [ The theory surrounding this definition has been around since the 1950s, with a key concept of irreversibility and/or permanent acinar damage. However, new data posit that increased collagen deposition leads to active fibrosis, which inevitably is associated with breakdown of the lung’s elastic framework. An entity known as combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema (CPFE) has been shown to exist in a subset of emphysematous patients. [ [ Discussions on how obstructive diseases share similar phenotypes have been emerging and evolving within the literature. Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease overlap syndrome (ACOS) is a term that has been used to describe patients who have severe COPD and/or severe asthma who find themselves with frequent exacerbations/hospitalizations and difficult-to-control or refractory symptoms. In its 2017 guidelines update the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA)-Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Diseases (GOLD) explained that it no longer used the term asthma-COPD overlap syndrome (ASCO) because asthma-COPD overlap does not describe a single disease entity. Presentations with combined features of both disorders more l...

Emphysema is a lung disease. The main cause of emphysema is smoking, but other causes include air pollution and chemical fumes. Symptoms include shortness of breath, coughing and fatigue. Your healthcare provider can diagnose emphysema through imaging and breathing tests. Treatment includes quitting smoking and taking medications. Overview Emphysema causes the small alveoli in your lungs to break and develop into large air pockets. What is emphysema? Emphysema is a lung disease that results from damage to the walls of the alveoli in your lungs. A blockage (obstruction) may develop, which traps air inside your lungs. If you have too much air trapped in your lungs, your chest may appear fuller or have a barrel-chested appearance. With fewer alveoli, less oxygen moves into your bloodstream. Alveoli are small, thin-walled, fragile air sacs arranged in clusters at the end of the bronchial tubes (airways) deep inside your lungs. In a typical set of lungs, there are about 300 million alveoli. As you breathe in air (inhale), the air travels through the bronchial tubes until it reaches the alveoli. Once the air gets there, the alveoli stretch, draw in oxygen and transport oxygen to your blood. As you breathe out air (exhale), your alveoli shrink and force carbon dioxide out of your body. Think of your lungs as bubble wrap. The alveoli are like individual bubbles in bubble wrap. If you have emphysema, your alveoli eventually break. Instead of many tiny bubble wrap bubbles, you devel...

Historically, the number of people living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was based on how many answered yes to having been diagnosed with either chronic bronchitis or emphysema, the two primary components of COPD. Trends and demographic differences for these two diseases are examined before moving on to recent changes in COPD questions and resulting statistics. Trends in Chronic Bronchitis by Race/Ethnicity, Sex and Age Non-Hispanic Total (2) White Black Other Hispanic Number Rate Number Rate Number Rate Number Rate Number Rate 1999 8,847,646 4.4% 7,272,319 4.9% 805,128 3.6% 238,877 3.1% 531,322 2.6% 2000 9,354,982 4.6% 7,680,117 5.1% 922,045 4.0% 186,426 2.2% 566,394 2.7% 2001 11,198,602 5.5% 9,066,921 6.1% 1,193,632 5.2% 258,092 2.9% 679,957 3.1% 2002 9,113,581 4.4% 7,177,946 4.8% 1,081,002 4.6% 225,054 2.5% 629,579 2.8% 2003 8,560,342 4.0% 6,847,649 4.5% 924,572 3.9% 184,526 2.1% 603,595 2.3% 2004 9,047,481 4.2% 7,302,106 4.7% 899,836 3.7% 184,526 1.8% 603,595 2.5% 2005 8,912,375 4.1% 6,953,547 4.5% 1,074,702 4.4% 218,340 2.2% 665,786 2.4% 2006 9,463,082 4.3% 7,315,058 4.7% 1,145,153 4.5% 358,802 3.1% 644,069 2.2% 2007 7,604,098 3.4% 6,008,449 3.9% 843,346 3.2% 249,254 2.0% 503,049 1.7% 2008 9,832,089 4.4% 7,905,680 5.1% 1,023,702 3.9% 272,056 2.2% 630,651 2.1% 2009 9,901,580 4.4% 7,723,276 4.9% 1,073,307 4.0% 291,369 2.3% 819,628 2.6% 2010 9,883,229 4.3% 7,635,860 4.9% 1,127,051 4.1% 242,232 1.9% 878,086 2.7% 2011 10,070,851 4.4% 7,471,900 4.7% 1,332...

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a group of diseases that cause damage to the lungs. Emphysema is a type of COPD. COPD The term COPD includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. A person with emphysema has COPD, but a person with COPD may not necessarily have emphysema. COPD is the Keep reading to learn more about what COPD and emphysema are. Share on Pinterest Johner Images/Getty Images Typically, when a person Typically these bronchioles and alveoli are elastic. Each air sac inflates like a small balloon as the person breathes in and deflates as they breathe out. This allows gas exchange to occur — or the removal of carbon dioxide and the absorption of oxygen. In In bronchitis, tissue in the bronchial tubes can swell and thicken. Mucus may also build up and clog these airways. In emphysema, The causes of both COPD and emphysema are similar. In most cases, a history of smoking is the main cause. This reduces the surface area of the lungs so that less oxygen can get into the bloodstream through the capillaries. Because of the damage to the air sacs, the old air is unable to escape and stays in the lungs. This leaves less room in the air sacs for fresh air to enter, compounding the problem of getting new oxygen to the body. COPD and emphysema Typically, a person will notice the first symptoms of COPD or emphysema during physical activity. A person with one, or both, of these conditions • • • • a • • frequent • lack of energy • • Symptoms tend to worsen over tim...

• Changes in mucus color • • Increased coughing • A feeling that you can't breathe or your airway is obstructed • Fever • Increased shortness of breath or wheezing • An increase in your need for supplemental oxygen • A racing heartbeat • Fatigue • Inability to talk without being short of breath • Inability to walk as far as usual • Increased swelling in your feet or hands Summary Symptoms of chronic bronchitis can be easily confused with those of other conditions. If you have symptoms like a productive cough, wheezing, and shortness of breath, talk to your healthcare provider to find out what is causing them. This way, you can start managing your condition right away and prevent serious complications down the road. A Word From Verywell Chronic bronchitis is a lifelong condition that can affect not just your airways, but other parts of your body too. If you have a chronic cough, be sure to tell your doctor about any other symptoms you have—especially if you are coughing up blood, becoming confused, passing out, or having chest pain. A cough is a symptom that occurs in many conditions and diseases, and your doctor will need to do a thorough examination to confirm the cause.