Introduction to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

What is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD for short, is the medical term used to describe diseases of the lung that are associated with airway obstruction. The two major diseases that are included in the category of COPD are:

• Chronic bronchitis - an inflammatory condition of the bronchi characterized by coughing and expectoration (spitting-up) of sputum (mucous coughed-up from the lungs) occurring on most days and lasting 3 months or longer for at least two consecutive years.

• Emphysema - a respiratory disorder that is characterized by enlargement of the air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs, through which oxygen passes from the lungs into the bloodstream.

Although asthma is also a condition that is associated with airway obstruction, and many people with COPD also suffer with asthma, as a general rule, asthma is not included under the category of COPD.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic, debilitating lung disease, however, with early diagnosis, lifestyle changes (e.g., smoking cessation), and appropriate treatment, many people can lead relatively normal and productive lives.