COPD is a lung condition that worsens over time, making breathing difficult and routine tasks challenging. Recognizing early symptoms like persistent cough and breathlessness is important. With proper management and lifestyle changes, you can slow progression and maintain a better quality of life.
What is COPD?
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a lung disease that causes obstruction to the airflow leading to breathing problems. This condition can manifest as chronic bronchitis (inflamed and narrowed airways), emphysema (damaged air sacs), or both.
People with COPD have damaged lungs, which can get clogged by thick mucus known as phlegm. COPD is caused by exposure to harmful particles, like cigarette smoking, burning of biomass fuels, air pollution etc.
People with COPD are also at higher risk of other health-related problems such as pneumonia, heart failure, and increased anxiety.
Types of COPD
Chronic bronchitis: If someone has a cough that produces mucus (phlegm) for at least three months in a row, and this happens for two years in a row, then this condition is known as chronic bronchitis.
Emphysema: It is a type of COPD in which air sacs in lung tissue lose their elasticity, leading to symptoms
