Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD,
refers to a group of diseases that cause airflow blockage and breathing-related problems.
It includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
COPD makes breathing difficult for the 16 million Americans who have this disease.
- Smoking and air pollution are the most common causes of COPD.
- People with COPD are at higher risk of other health problems.
- COPD is not curable but symptoms can improve if one avoids smoking and exposure to air pollution and gets vaccines to prevent infections.