Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): Also known as chronic obstructive airway disease (COAD), COPD defines a class of diseases that are characterized by limitations on airflow in the pulmonary airway system. COPDs are typically caused by external air pollutants and they are not fully reversible. There are several diseases that fall in this category, emphysema and chronic bronchitis are just a couple. Most commonly these diseases are caused by airborne irritants such as tobacco smoking, coal dust, asbestos or solvents. Tobacco smoking being responsible for 90% of all COPD cases. To learn more about COPD please see the above links. |
