Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease I: Introduction

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, is a common, preventable, and treatable lung disorder. It has persistent respiratory symptoms and airflow limitation, usually caused by long-term exposure to harmful particles or gases that lead to chronic inflammation and lung damage.

In COPD, chronic inflammation causes lasting changes in the airways and air sacs. These changes may include emphysema, which affects the air sacs, and, in some people, signs of chronic bronchitis, such as cough and excess mucus.

Major risk factors include tobacco smoke, occupational exposure to dust and chemical fumes, and indoor air pollution from the use of biomass fuel for cooking and heating in poorly ventilated dwellings.

Additional risks include infections such as tuberculosis or repeated childhood respiratory infections like pneumonia.

A key genetic factor is alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, a condition that impairs the lungs’ ability to counteract proteolytic enzymes, leading to accelerated tissue damage and increased risk of early-onset COPD.