What is COPD?
COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is a lung disease that makes it hard to breathe. It is caused by damage to the lungs over many years, usually from smoking. COPD is often a combination of two diseases.
1
Chronic bronchitis
This happens when the bronchial tubes that carry air to your lungs get inflamed and make a lot of mucus. This can narrow or block the airways, making it hard for you to breathe. 1
Emphysema
The tiny air sacs in the lungs are like balloons. As you breathe in and out, they get bigger and smaller as air moves into and out of your lungs. But with emphysema, these air sacs are damaged and become stretched. Like old balloons, they get overstretched and break down. Old air gets trapped in the air sacs, so there’s no room for new air to get in which makes you feel short of breath. 2,3
References:
1. WebMD. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Available at: http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease-copd-overview. Accessed November 7, 2008.
2. What is COPD? Available at: http://www.copdguide.com/what-is.jsp. Accessed January 18, 2009.
3. COPD International. COPD Statistical Information. Available at: http://www.copd-international.com/library/statistics.htm. Accessed January 2, 2009.