Bronchitis vs.

Emphysema

Signs and Symptoms

Chronic Bronchitis (Blue Bloater) Emphysema (Pink Puffer)

Chronic, productive cough Dyspnea
Purulent sputum Minimal cough
Hemoptysis Increased minute ventilation
Mild dyspnea initially Pink skin, Pursed-lip breathing
Cyanosis (due to hypoxemia) Accessory muscle use
Peripheral edema (due to cor pulmonale) Cachexia
Crackles, wheezes Hyperinflation, barrel chest
Prolonged expiration Decreased breath sounds
Obese Tachypnea

Complications

Chronic Bronchitis (Blue Bloater) Emphysema (Pink Puffer)

Secondary polycythemia vera due
Pneumothorax due to bullae
to hypoxemia.
Pulmonary hypertension due to
Weight loss due to work of breathing
reactive vasoconstriction from hypoxemia
Cor pulmonale from chronic
pulmonary hypertension