Prevalence of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in the US is high, accounting for 16 million cases. In addition to the known number of cases, there are a large number of cases that go unreported as individuals remain unaware of the condition, until it manifests into adverse health conditions. Certain terms are often used both inside medical circles and outside pertaining to COPD – blue bloaters and pink puffers. For those who are unaware of these terms, it may be hard to understand various details shared during a discussion or a consultation. We therefore, give you the lowdown on the terms with a crystal clear comparison on blue bloater vs pink puffer.

Blue bloater vs pink puffer – what exactly are these two terms?

Essentially, blue bloater refers to patients suffering from chronic bronchitis, while pink puffer refers to patients suffering from emphysema. Both the conditions belong to the category of COPD and presently there is no known cure for COPD. However, some conditions can be prevented and is sometimes known to be treated through a holistic approach. COPD refers to progressively deteriorating lung diseases where the patient experiences persistent obstruction in airflow. This is different from asthma, where there are episodes of asthmatic attacks. In a significant percentage of cases, the cause for the condition is smoking. To look at the blue bloater vs pink puffer comparison, it is essential to fully understand each condition.

Blue bloater vs pink puffer comparison – overview of chronic bronchitis

Chronic bronchitis occurs when the lining of the bronchial tubes are inflamed. The inflammation/irritation results in shortness of breath, in addition to cough that brings up mucus. As a result of the persistent inflammation, the airways end up damaged, which in turn results in the formation of mucus. The presence of mucus causes the individual to experience difficulty while breathing, and the frequent cough brings up the thick mucus. Treatment options are typically related to interventions that are intended to soothe the coughing. Acute bronchitis is usually due to viral respiratory infections, whereas chronic bronchitis is attributed to one of many possible factors such as smoking or exposure to pollutants in the atmosphere. Chronic bronchitis is the result of persistent damage to the lungs and airways. Before we look further at the blue bloater vs pink puffer comparison, here is a look at emphysema.

 

Overview of emphysema

Emphysema refers to the condition where the air sacs in the lungs of individuals are damaged, resulting in shortness of breath. This condition further deteriorates with the inner walls of the air sac weakening and damaging over a period of time. As a result of this progressive condition, the small air spaces end up getting replaced by large air spaces. Consequently, the lung area reduces, impacting the amount of oxygen that goes to the bloodstream. The damaged air sacs retain old air and this prevents fresh air from entering the system. It is important to add here that individuals who have emphysema can end up with chronic bronchitis as a result of the sustained damage and irritation to the tissues in the airways. In both the conditions, treatment options help to improve the quality of life and manage the symptoms but may not be a permanent cure in most cases.

Defining characteristics to understand the blue bloater vs pink puffer comparison

There are certain characteristics associated with both the conditions. These characteristics are used as markers to help identify the blue bloater vs pink puffer differences. It is not out of place to mention here that the term blue bloater and pink puffer are not very commonly used – however the terms are used at times, and it helps to know about the terms.

The category of blue bloaters is generally used to describe individuals who experience shortness of breath, typically overweight and a slightly distinct coloration in certain parts of the body. Medically known as cyanosis or acrocyanosis, this condition typically means that individuals suffer from low oxygen supply, as a result of which the skin has a bluish tint. The body’s mechanism automatically moves blood from specific areas that are not very critical in nature, to the various vital organs of the body to keep the organs functioning. As a result of this, individuals who belong to the blue bloaters category have lips and fingertips with a light bluish tint, since the blood is used for more vital organs. In the blue bloater vs pink puffer comparison it is important to understand other characteristics associated with each category. Patients belonging to the blue bloater category also have swollen feet and ankles, in addition to abnormally thick veins in the neck. One of the reasons for this characteristic is the amount of stress on the heart, as it continuously works in combination with a diseased lung to keep the blood supply going. Part of the problem has been solved, as it is now medically possible to supply patients with oxygen, which does away with the distinct bluish tint associated with the condition. The term blue bloaters was initially used to describe the appearance of patients with the condition. However, significant progress has ensured that specific medical terms are used to describe conditions more accurately.

The second stereotype in the blue bloater vs pink puffer comparison

The other category in COPD that is part of the blue bloater vs pink puffer comparison is pink puffer. This typically refers to individuals who are relatively thin, more or less pinkish in complexion, and breathing rapidly. Other defining characteristics include tightly pursed lips that are part of the effort of breathing fast, accompanied by shortness of breath.

 

The color of the pinkish skin is attributed to the rapid breathing among patients. As a result of the lesser supply of oxygen, the body increases the rate of respiration, which ensures that oxygen reaches the tissues as necessary. However, as a result of the enhanced rate of breathing, the color of the skin turns pinkish. Individuals with this condition also appear to remain in inhale mode all the time due to the rapid breathing. Consequently, the chest appears puffed up all the time. Since the rate of breathing is fast, and the mechanism of exhaling is not as effective as inhaling, a portion of the inhaled air remains in the chest, giving the individual a distinct appearance with a large chest. The other characteristic – the tightly closed mouth is primarily as a result of the involuntary effort to force the air out during the rapid breathing. The term pink puffer is more of a description of the skin complexion and the puffed up chest. However, this term is also very rarely used as it is now medically possible to supply oxygen to the patient, thereby doing away with the need for increased respiration rate or puffed up chest. Since, the underlying conditions indicate a health issue identified as emphysema, it is treated managed accordingly.

The blue bloater vs pink puffer comparison – can patients have both the conditions?

It is not only medically possible for patients to have conditions that belong to both the conditions, it is actually more prevalent. This is because patients with emphysema are known to end up developing chronic bronchitis when the condition aggravates. As a result, the conditions and symptoms combine, thereby rendering the blue bloater vs pink puffer comparison less relevant. Patients with only chronic bronchitis are less likely to develop emphysema, whereas patients with emphysema are more likely to develop chronic bronchitis.

Common characteristics of COPD include lung hyperinflation and obstruction of airflow. The hyperinflation of the lung is attributed to the less intake of air, which results in the lung being overworked to compensate. The diagnostics used for ascertaining both the conditions are different, helping make out a case for blue bloater vs pink puffer comparison. For instance, to check if a patient has chronic bronchitis, the typical examination includes a chest X-ray, and sputum examination. To ascertain if a patient has emphysema, the tests carried out include X-rays and arterial blood gases analysis. The purpose of these tests is to determine the efficacy of the lungs in moving oxygen to the bloodstream and removing the carbon dioxide. Therefore, while the symptoms may combine and patients may have both the conditions, the tests are different, making it necessary to use the blue bloater vs pink puffer comparison.