NURSING 2LA2 Lecture Notes - Lecture 7: Bronchospasm, Pulmonary Heart Disease, Xerostomia
9 Aug 2018
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Document Summary
The 4 most important mechanisms for airflow limitation (any can occur in either asthma or copd): loss of lung elastic recoil. Occurs with emphysema due to protease mediated degradation of connective tissue elements in the lungs: peribronchiolar fibrosis. Occurs due to an imbalance between the lungs repair and defense mechanisms. Fibrosis of the small airways contributes to airway remodelling which is a key factor in the development of the irreversible airflow limitation seen in copd. Fromer and cooper (2008) define airway remodelling as the persistent changes that occur within the structural components of the airways in response to inflammation: increased airway secretions. In copd, there is mucous, hyperplasia & increased expression of mucin genes. Inflammation & oxidant injury play a role in mucous hypersecretion: airway smooth muscle. Increased tone in airway smooth muscle due to hyperactivity of the bronchi with bronchoconstriction due to persistent inflammation.
