What is COPD?

COPD is a lung disease that may be serious and may progress. It can make it difficult to breathe and get enough oxygen into the body and carbon dioxide out of the body.

The two diseases that make up COPD are:

EMPHYSEMA With emphysema, the air sacs and small airways are damaged and lose their elasticity. Air becomes trapped in the air sacs making it difficult to breathe.

CHRONIC BRONCHITIS With chronic bronchitis, the airways become swollen and inflamed and produce large volumes of mucus. This narrows or closes the airways making breathing difficult.

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