Table of Contents
What respiratory disease destroys the alveoli?
Emphysema is a chronic lung condition in which the air sacs (alveoli) may be: Collapsed. Destroyed.
What is the disease that affects the alveoli?
Emphysema is a condition that involves damage to the walls of the air sacs (alveoli) of the lung.
Which disease causes the alveoli to become stretched out?
In people with emphysema, the air sacs in the lungs (alveoli) are damaged. Over time, the inner walls of the air sacs weaken and rupture — creating larger air spaces instead of many small ones.
What do you need to know about alveolar lung disease?
Alveolar lung disease (ALD) refers to filling of the airspaces with fluid or other material (water, pus, blood, cells, or protein). The airspace filling can be partial, with some alveolar aeration remaining, or complete, producing densely opacified, nonaerated lung that obscures underlying bronchial and vascular markings.
How is alveolar filling different from interstitial lung disease?
The airspace filling can be partial, with some alveolar aeration remaining, or complete, producing densely opacified, nonaerated lung that obscures underlying bronchial and vascular markings. ALD producing dense airspace opacity is more easily distinguished from interstitial lung disease (ILD) than lesser degrees of alveolar filling.
What are the opacities of Alveolar lung edema?
The distribution of airspace opacities in alveolar edema is usually patchy, bilateral, and widespread, and the opacities tend to coalesce. Air bronchograms may be evident, particularly when the edema is confluent.
How does damage to the alveolar capillary membrane cause Ards?
Damage to the alveolar capillary membrane leads to increased capillary permeability and leakage of proteinaceous fluid into the alveoli. Eventually, alveolar disruption and hemorrhage occur, surfactant is reduced, and the alveoli tend to collapse. The stages of ARDS are outlined in Table 4.2.