The term COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) is a generic term for a syndrome caused by diseases such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis. As these two conditions frequently co-exist, physicians the common term COPD is often used.
COPD is characterized by obstruction to airflow that is not fully reversible. It is frequently accompanied by dyspnea, or shortness of breath, and the lungs are easily inflamed when in contact with certain particles or gases. COPD is the fourth leading cause of death throughout the world, but still the disease is under-diagnosed and under-treated.