Emphysema definition

Emphysema Definitely The oxidation of an anti-protease by radicals and other species induced by smoke contributes to smokerfs emphysema. 

The definition above has replaced older ones that focused to varying degrees on chronic bronchitis and/ or emphysema. Chronic bronchitis and emphysema frequently represent different consequences of the same insult leading to changes in large aiiways, small airways and pulmonary parenchyma (Table 1). 

G. L. Snider, J. Kleinerman, W. M. Thurlbeck, and Z. Bengali. The definition of emphysema Report of a National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, Division of Lung Diseases, Workshop. Am. Rev. Respir. Dis. 732 182 (1985). 

AMERICAN THORACIC SOCIETY (1962) Committee on diagnostic standards, definitions and classification of chronic bronchitis, asthma and pulmonary emphysema. American Review of Respiratory Disease, 85, 762-768. 

A reduced FEV,/FVC ratio is the most common lung function abnormahty. The usual causes are asthma, vdiere the obstruction is due to inflammation and smooth muscle constriction in the large and small airways, to emphysema, where the problem is collapse of the airways that lack support in expiration, and obstructive bronchitis, where the main problem is small airway fibrosis and inflammation. COPD is an umbrella term to encompass emphysema and obstructive bronchitis, which usually coexist. Other less common causes include bronchiectasis, obstruction by extrinsic compression, tumour or foreign body. In clinical practice, the most difficult distinction is between asthma and COPD. By definition, asthma... 

The histopathological definition of emphysema (i.e. abnormal, permanent enlargement of the air spaces distal to the terminal bronchiole, accompanied by destruction of their walls but without obvious fibrosis) is cumbersome but emphasises the importance of identifying parenchymal destruction before a pathological diagnosis of emphysema can be made (Snider et al. 1985). 

American Thoracic Society Committee on Diagnostic Standards for Non-Tuber-culous Respiratory Diseases Definitions and clarifications of chronic bronchitis, asthma, and pulmonary emphysema. Am Rev Respir Dis 1962 85 762-768. 

Matthys H. Definition and assessment of asthma. Lung 1990 168 51-56. Mossberg B, Philipson K, Camner P. Traeheobronehial elearanee in patients with emphysema assoeiated with alphai-antitrypsin defieieney. Seand J Respir Dis 1978 59 1 7. 

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