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Chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD) is a
lung disease in which the lungs are damaged, making it
hard to breathe. In COPD, the airways-the tubes that carry
air in and out of your lungs-are partly obstructed, making
it difficult to get air in and out.
Cigarette smoking is the most common cause of COPD. Most
people with COPD are smokers or former
smokers. Breathing in other kinds of lung irritants, like
pollution, dust, or chemicals, over a long period of time
may also cause or contribute to COPD.
COPD develops slowly, and it may be many years
before you notice symptoms like feeling short of breath.
Most of the time, COPD is diagnosed in middle-aged
or older people.
There is no cure for COPD. The damage to your
airways and lungs cannot be reversed, but there are
things you can do to feel better and slow the damage.
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