Stands for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. It’s an umbrella term that includes emphysema, chronic bronchitis, refractory (non-reversible) asthma...
Chronic bronchitis is inflammation of the lining of the bronchial tubes, which carry air to and from the air sacs (alveoli) of the lungs. It's characterized by daily cough and mucus (sputum) production.
In emphysema, airways are destroyed.
Signs of COPD: breathlessness; coughing, with or without sputum (the name used for mucus coughed up from the lower airways); wheezing, tightness in the chest.
Chronic bronchitis is inflammation of the lining of the bronchial tubes, which carry air to and from the air sacs (alveoli) of the lungs. It's characterized by daily cough and mucus (sputum) production.
In emphysema, airways are destroyed.
Signs of COPD: breathlessness; coughing, with or without sputum (the name used for mucus coughed up from the lower airways); wheezing, tightness in the chest.