COPD stands for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and is a relatively common lung disease.

COPD is a condition which progresses slowly over time. It is usually the result of damage to the smaller airways in the lung. Because COPD progresses slowly, people often only experience symptoms later in life after some damage has already been done. The main symptoms of COPD are shortness of breath and mucus production.

Since COPD is a progressive disease the symptoms will always be there to varying degrees and deterioration is to be expected. While there is no cure for COPD, the progression of the condition and the accompanying symptoms can be managed.

COPD is not the exactly the same in everyone. Some people may have more phlegm as a result of greater production, as is seen in chronic bronchitis. Others may present with more floppy airways and damage to the air sacs (alveoli), which is known as emphysema.

Some people have a combination of chronic bronchitis and emphysema. People with COPD may also have asthma-like symptoms (tight, wheezy chests).