What is COPD?
COPD stands for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease also known as Chronic Bronchitis or Emphysema
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, is a progressive disease that causes difficulty breathing. The word "progressive" indicates that the disease worsens over time.
COPD can cause a cough with the production of large amounts of a sticky substance called mucus, this causes wheezing, shortness of breath, chest pressure and other symptoms.
One of the main causes of COPD is the habit of smoking cigarettes. It was found that most people who suffer from COPD, smoke or used to smoke.
However, up to 25 percent of people with COPD deny having smoked a single cigarette in their entire lives. Long-term exposure to other lung irritants - such as contaminated air, chemical vapors or dust - can also contribute to COPD.
One of the infrequent causes is a genetic disorder called alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency (AAT) which can also cause the disease.
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