PULMONARY DISEASES 2
Discussion 1
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
The chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is an obstruction of the lungs that involves
breathing problems over a long period and poor air inflow. The disease is progressive in
nature and worsens with time. With the blockage of the air-pipe, breathing and coughing are
consistent. Cigarette smoking has a direct impact on the disease since it leads to an abnormal
functioning of the lungs. The inhaled gases and particles are a burden for the lungs to cleanse
hence leading to respiratory disorders (O’Donnell et al., 2014). Though early diagnosis and
treatment are vital in patients with COPD, cessation of tobacco smoking is the only strategy
that would eliminate the disease. Less exposure to tobacco and counselling to those already
into smoking would reduce the progression and contact of the disease.
Discussion 2
Restrictive and obstructive pulmonary diseases
Pulmonary lung diseases could be either restrictive or obstructive. Restrictive diseases
include interstitial lung disease, scoliosis, and sarcoidosis among others while obstructive
diseases include COPD, asthma and Cystic fibrosis among others (Navaneethan et al., 2016).
Though restrictive and obstructive pulmonary diseases share most symptoms, there are
differences between the two types. For instance;
1. Restrictive diseases are as a result of the lungs not being filled with air and failing to
fully expand while obstructive diseases are as a result of failure to exhale air from the
lungs.
2. In restrictive diseases, the volumes in the lungs are smaller due to limited inspiration
while in obstructive diseases the volumes are high due to limited exhalation.
