What happens to airflow in chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases?

In chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD), airflow becomes restricted due to various pathological changes in the lungs. This restriction occurs because the airways, particularly small bronchi and bronchioles, become narrowed and inflamed. Additionally, the lung tissue may lose elasticity, making it more difficult for air to move in and out, particularly during exhalation.

These conditions lead to a significant reduction in the rate at which air can be exchanged, primarily characterized by a decrease in forced expiratory volume (the amount of air that can be forcibly exhaled in one second). As a result, individuals with COPD typically experience symptoms such as shortness of breath and wheezing, which are directly related to this decreased airflow. Thus, the correct understanding of airflow in COPD is that less air flows in and out of the lungs, particularly during exhalation.