I have to do a table of the route oxygen takes in the respiratory system and write a brief note on how each of these components of the respiratory system is affected (or not) by COPD plus the impact this has on delivering oxygen to the body.
I'm struggling to come up with how each of them are affected by COPD. I have done the Bronchi, Bronchioles and Alveoli but not getting far with the rest! For the nose/mouth, i have put persistent cough and mucus production which causes breathlessness, and for the pharynx I've got inflammation of the airway walls can lead to production of excess mucus resulting in increased vulnerability to respiratory infections due to the persistent cough with sputum production and obstruction of airflow/narrowing of the airways. Can anyone help with the rest?
I have, but it doesn't really describe how these parts are directly affected. I'm guessing that the pharynx, larynx and trachea may also be due to inflammation causing mucus production which builds up narrowing the airways- therefore reducing the flow of oxygen (but I'm not too sure) Would the inflammation cause scar tissue to form and narrow the airways also? And i really don't have a clue about the pulmonary capillaries!!
mouth...continual mouthbreathing dries out the mucus membranes and can predispose to infections, either fungal or bacterial...can also affect tooth retention due to persistant gum disease. difficulty breathing can also result in poor dental health due to struggling to clean teeth.
and much more than you ever want to know is her
( west's pathophysiology - free on the internet)
your bit begins on p57 and isnt much different to when I was doing it ( 1980)