Chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a type of
obstructive lung disease characterized by long-term
respiratory symptoms and airflow limitation.The
main symptoms include shortness of breath and a
cough which may or may not produce mucus. COPD progressively
worsens with everyday activities such as walking
or dressing becoming difficult.Many definitions
of COPD in the past included chronic bronchitis
and emphysema but these have never been included
in GOLD report definitions. Emphysema is defined
as enlarged airspaces (alveoli) whose walls break
down resulting in permanent damage to the lung tissue,
and is just one of the structural abnormalities
that can limit airflow. The condition can exist
without airflow limitation, and is seen to be the
case in a significant minority. Chronic bronchitis
is defined as a productive cough that is present
for at least three months each year for two years
but does not always result in airflow limitation
although the risk of developing COPD is great.
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