Int. Rev. Allergol. Clin. Immunol. Family Med., 2017, XXIII/2: 053-059

SUMMARY IN POLISH & ENGLISH. FULL ARTICLE ONLY IN POLISH.

Limiting airflow in the airways

Płusa T.

EMC Medical Institute SA – Department of Internal Medicine and Lung Disease, Hospital st. Anna in Piaseczno, Poland

Int Rev Allergol Clin Immunol Family Med, 2017; Vol. 23, No. 2, 053

Smoking cigarettes is a major factor in limiting airflow in the airways. This limitation is also found in people who have never smoked and may be affected by adverse changes in early childhood lung function. In the course of inflammation, increased inflammatory mediators, oxidative stress and proteolytic imbalance can cause a number of structural changes in both the small bronchi and the pulmonary parenchyma. On the other hand, genetic factors in patients with airflow limitation in patients with COPD are examples of interactions between DNA encoding and environmental influences. Documented industrial and chemical pollution of the environment significantly affects respiratory tract damage and the formation of both obstructive and restrictive lesions, as well as viral, bacterial, fungal and parasitic infections.

Key words: respiratory tract, airflow, inflammation