Description
This article is from the Asthma FAQ,
by Patricia Wrean and Marie Goldenberg mwg@radix.net with numerous
contributions by others.
1.0.4 What is COPD?
COPD is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, also known as
either COAD, for chronic obstructive airway disease, or COLD,
for chronic obstructive lung disease. COPD is a disease in
which the airways are obstructed due to a combination of
asthma, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis. The 1987 Merck
Manual notes that "the term COPD was introduced because these
conditions often coexist, and it may be difficult in an
individual case to decide which is the major one producing
the obstruction."
[Maintainer's note: the entries for COPD, emphysema, bronchitis,
pneumonia, and cystic fibrosis have been included because of
common confusion between the various diseases which can affect
the lungs.]
Continue to:
Share and Enjoy
Bookmark this story so others can enjoy it:
Tags
health, asthma, symptoms, causes, forms of treatment, COPD, bronchitis, asthmatics, inhaler
