Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

A
• B
• C
• D
• E
• F
• G
• H
• I
• J
• K
• L
• M
• N
• O
• P
• Q
• R
• S
• T
• U
• V
• W
• X
• Y
• Z

Bronchitis	COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder)	Emphysema	Quitting smoking
Respiratory system	Smoking and COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder)	Spirometry

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is lung disease that makes it difficult to breathe. There are two main forms of COPD:

• Chronic bronchitis, which causes long-term swelling and a large amount of mucus in the main airways in the lungs
• Emphysema, a lung disease that destroys the air sacs in the lungs

Most people with COPD have symptoms of both.

COPD; Chronic obstructive airways disease; Chronic obstructive lung disease; Chronic bronchitis; Emphysema; Bronchitis - chronic

Smoking is the leading cause of COPD. The more a person smokes, the more likely that person will develop severe bronchitis. Secondhand smoke may also cause chronic bronchitis. Air pollution, infection, and allergies make chronic bronchitis worse.

---

---

In rare cases, nonsmokers who lack a protein called alpha-1 antitrypsin 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

Review Date: 09/24/2008
Reviewed By: Benjamin Medoff, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Pulmonary and Critical Care Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.