Alternative Names
COPD; Chronic obstructive airway disease; Chronic obstructive lung disease; Emphysema; Chronic bronchitis
Definition of Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease:
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is lung disease that makes it difficult to breathe. Most people with COPD have both emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors:
The leading cause of COPD is smoking. Between 15 - 20% of long-term smokers will develop COPD. Using tobacco for a long time causes lung inflammation and destroys air sacs in the lungs. (In rare cases, non-smokers who lack a protein called alpha-1 anti-trypsin can develop emphysema.)
Other risk factors for COPD are:
- Exposure to certain gases or fumes in the workplace
- Exposure to heavy amounts of secondhand smoke and pollution
- Frequent use of cooking gas without proper ventilation
