Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is a type of lung disease which can be characterized by long term of poor airflow. It is the appearance of pathological changes in the lungs. COPD keeps on progressing with the passage of time and gets worse with time. Damage to the lungs become permanent and it cannot be undone. We can only take measure to prevent the further damage to the lungs.
COPD is a mixture of two diseases:-
1. Chronic bronchitis: In chronic bronchitis, the airways of the lungs get inflamed/swollen and make a lot of mucus. This causes cough. Chronic bronchitis damage the tissues of the airways of the lungs. Due to which the passage become narrow or sometimes get blocked and it becomes difficult to breathe.
2. Emphysema: Our air sacs are very tiny and resemble balloons. As we breathe the air in and out, the air sacs inflate and contract just like balloon. In case of emphysema, these balloon like sac get damage and due to this less air is inhaled and exhaled, which leads to shortness of breath.
