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Airway obstruction is a respiratory problem caused by increased resistance in the bronchioles (usually from a decreased radius of the bronchioles) that reduces the amount of air inhaled in each breath and the oxygen that reaches the pulmonary arteries. It is different from airway restriction (which prevents air from diffusing into the pulmonary arteries because of some kind of blockage in the lungs).

[edit] Diagnosis

Obstruction can be measured using spirometry. A decreased FEV1/VC ratio (versus the normal of about 80%) is indicative of an airway obstruction, as the normal amount of air can no longer be exhaled in the first second of expiration. An airway restriction would not produce a reduced FEV1/VC ratio, would produce a reduced vital capacity. The ventilation is therefore affected leading to a ventilation perfusion mismatch and hypoxia.

[edit] See also

• Stridor
• Recurrent airway obstruction
• Obstructive lung disease

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