What is the difference between restrictive and obstructive lung diseases?

Restrictive diseases limit lung expansion, which inhibits the lungs from fully inflating and results in reduced lung volumes and capacity. This can occur due to factors such as stiff lung tissue, pleural disease, or neuromuscular issues that affect the muscles involved in breathing. Examples include pulmonary fibrosis and sarcoidosis.

On the other hand, obstructive diseases are characterized by a blockage of airflow, making it difficult for patients to exhale air fully. This leads to air trapping in the lungs and increased residual volume. Conditions such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema fall under this category.

Understanding this distinction is critical because it affects the management and treatment approaches for each type of disease. For instance, obstructive diseases are often treated with bronchodilators to help open the airways, while restrictive diseases might be managed with corticosteroids or other anti-inflammatory medications to address the underlying inflammation or scarring.