Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Information on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) such as what is COPD, what causes COPD and signs and symptoms. Other names for COPD include Chronic Obstructive Airway Disease and Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease. In the US, COPD includes Emphysema and Chronic Bronchitis.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) develops slowly and is a major cause of death and illness throughout the world. It is the 4th leading cause of death in the United States and the world.
What is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)?
A person with COPD has difficulty breathing because the lung airways (tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs) are partly obstructed. At the end of each branch of the airways there are many small balloon-like air sacs. These sacs are small and elastic and inflate with air when you breathe in and deflate when you breathe out. In a person with COPD, the airways and air sacs are damaged and lose their shape. The result is less air gets in and out.
- Emphysema: This type of COPD occurs because the walls between the airs sacs are destroyed, leaving a few large air sacs instead of many tiny ones. These few large air sacs have less surface area and result in a poor exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide leaving the person with shortness of breath.
- Chronic Bronchitis: The airways have become inflamed and thickened with an increased number and size of mucus-producing cells. This excessive mucus production results with coughing and difficulty getting air in and out of the lungs. COPD develops slowly over many years before symptoms are noticed. Most people are diagnosed middle-aged or older and have both emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
What causes Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)?
Cigarette smoking is the most common cause of COPD. Additionally inhaled irritants such as pipe, cigar and other types of tobacco smoking can also cause COPD. The lungs and airways are sensitive to irritants that cause the airways to become inflamed, narrowed and damaged. Other irritants such as breathing in certain chemical fumes for many years, working in a dusty area for many years and heavy exposure to air pollution may contribute to COPD, as well as, secondhand smoke.
Signs and Symptoms
Common symptoms include:
- Coughing
- Mucus
- Shortness of Breath (especially with exercise)
- Wheezing
- Chest Tightness
Information gathered 2-25-05.