References
- ^Shari Gentry, Barry GentryChronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Diagnosis and ManagementAm Fam Physician.(2017 Apr 1)
- ^The content of this page was partially adapted from MedlinePlus of the National Library of Medicine
What is COPD?
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•Last Updated: October 25, 2023
COPD is a chronic condition which occurs due to irreversible damage to the lungs with common symptoms such as trouble breathing and cough.[1]
Normal lungs have many small stretchy air sacs that inflate upon inhalation and deflate upon exhalation. With COPD, less air can enter the lungs because air sacs have damaged walls and are less stretchy (this is called emphysema); and the airway becomes inflamed triggering cough and more mucus production (this is called chronic bronchitis). Most people have a COPD with both emphysema and chronic bronchitis, with variable severity.[2]