COPD stands for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. It is a general term for a group of respiratory trace diseases which cause a limitation to airflow. Chronic bronchitis, emphysema, bronchiectasis are conditions that occur under the general term COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease). Smoking tobacco is the most common cause for COPD, but breathing in harmful fumes, or things like coal dust can also bring it on.
The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease or GOLD, defines COPD as “a disease state characterized by airflow limitation that is not fully reversible. The airflow limitation is usually progressive and associated with abnormal inflammatory response of the lungs to noxious particles or gases.”
