What is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease?
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is the preferred term used for a number of lung-related conditions, including chronic bronchitis, emphysema and chronic obstructive airways disease.
Chronic inflammation of the airways and lung tissues leads to long term damage and airflow obstruction.
COPD leads to damaged airways in the lungs, causing them to become narrower and making it harder for air to get in and out. The word 'chronic' means that the problem is long-term.
Chronic bronchitis: Bronchitis means 'inflammation of the bronchi'. These are the tubes or airways which carry oxygen from the air through the lungs. This inflammation increases mucus production in the airways, producing phlegm which makes you cough.
Emphysema: This occurs when the air sacs in the lungs lose their elasticity, which reduces the support of the airways and causes them to narrow. It also means the lungs are not as good at getting oxygen into the body, so you may have to breathe harder. This can result in shortness of breath.