| Category | Pulmonology |
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that causes obstruction of airflow from the lungs. Symptoms include difficulty breathing, coughing, mucus production and wheezing. It is usually caused by long-term exposure to irritating gases or particles, most commonly cigarette smoke. Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are the two most common conditions that contribute to COPD. These two conditions usually coexist and can vary in severity in people with COPD.
