COPD stands for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. It is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that causes obstructed airflow from the lungs.
It is an "umbrella term" used to describe a group of progressive lung diseases, most notably Emphysema and Chronic Bronchitis. Most people with COPD have a combination of both conditions.
The Two Main Components
Emphysema:
This condition slowly destroys the air sacs (alveoli) in your lungs, which is where oxygen enters your blood.
The walls of the air sacs weaken and rupture, creating larger air spaces instead of many small ones. This reduces the surface area for gas exchange and causes old air to get trapped in the lungs, leaving no room for fresh, oxygen-rich air.
Chronic Bronchitis:
This is inflammation of the bronchial tubes, which carry air to and from your air sacs.
It causes a constant cough and heavy mucus (sputum) production. To be diagnosed, the cough must persist for at least three months a year for two consecutive years.