Respiratory disease - Emphysema - Clinical features

3 important questions on Respiratory disease - Emphysema - Clinical features

What are the classic symptoms of emphysema?

Wheezing, dyspnoea, cough

What are the clinical signs of emphysema?

Patient is barrel-chested
dyspneic
hunched forward
breathing through pursed lips
reduced FEV1 but FVC remains the same= reduced FEV1/FVC ratio
diffusion capacity is reduced
normal blood gas values

What can cause death in a patient with emphysema?

Right sided heart failure
pneumothorax- should the alveoli burst
respiratory acidosis/coma- as CO2 levels may build up in the blood stream due to poor gas exchange

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