How Do Chronic Lung Diseases Affect Lung Function?
The histological changes observed in chronic lung diseases directly impact lung function in several ways: - In COPD, the destruction of alveolar walls reduces the surface area for gas exchange, leading to impaired oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange. - In asthma, airway inflammation and smooth muscle hypertrophy cause bronchoconstriction, leading to airflow limitation and difficulty in breathing. - In pulmonary fibrosis, the excessive deposition of collagen and extracellular matrix components makes the lung tissue stiff, reducing its ability to expand during inhalation and therefore impairing gas exchange.
