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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease - Background information
What is it?
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a treatable (but not curable) and largely preventable lung disease with symptoms such as cough, sputum, and increasing breathlessness [Qaseem et al, 2007; Eva et al, 2009].
- It is characterized by airflow obstruction which is usually progressive, not fully reversible, and does not change markedly over several months [National Clinical Guideline Centre, 2010].
- The obstruction is due to a combination of airway disease (obstructive bronchiolitis) and parenchymal damage (emphysema), and is associated with abnormal inflammatory response of the lungs, mainly to noxious particles, especially cigarette smoke [GOLD, 2009].
- 'COPD' is the preferred term for chronic bronchitis, emphysema, or chronic obstructive airways disease [National Clinical Guideline Centre, 2010].
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