We all have an upside down tree in our chests. The trunk resembles the main bronchus (the windpipe), the branches are the large and small airways, and the bright green leaves are the little air sacs (alveoli) where oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange takes place.
These are healthy lungs….
In some forms of COPD, such as Emphysema, the trunk, the branches, and the leaves become stiff and brittle, and the tree slowly withers away.
With severe asthma, the trunk and branches can become stiff and scarred, but the leaves often remain green. The tree struggles, but it manages to survive for long time.
This is my tree. My branches are narrowed and scarred, but my O2 sats are usually normal because my leaves are still intact and functioning.
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Like the graphics. God knows what my lungs look like. Bits of the branches have died off, the vascular bits, leaving big gaps in the structure. Maybe like a helicopter has crashed into it? The airways bits are constricted at the twiggy end, there is permanent air trapping, more gaps? Perfect nesting site for an owl. But, yes, amazingly sats are often OK. Until I’m on my feet for longer than half an hour. Then they drop. Last exercise test down to 79% . Five and a half years and still no diagnosis, apart from chronic thromboembolic disease. Small airways for sure but which one? Choice of about six. Time to stick a pin in?
Cheesed off,
Thanks for inspiring us,
Love and hugs
Kate xxxx
Love the healthy lung pic. Can I use it in my flier for hypnotherapy to help people stop smoking please?