Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) COPD is a type of lung disease marked by permanent damage to tissues in the lungs, making it hard to breathe. COPD includes chronic bronchitis, bronchi are inflamed and scarred and also emphysema, the alveoli are damaged. It develops over many years and is usually caused by cigarette smoking; pollutants, irritants, dust and chemical fumes can also be a cause. COPD is a progressive disease, which means it gets worse over time. Causing your ability to do everyday activities, like walking, cooking or taking care of yourself to be very difficult, or sometimes impossible. It can cause coughing with large amounts of mucus, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness and other symptoms.
