COPD Lung Disease

COPD stands for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and is a pulmonary disease that makes it progressively more difficult to breathe. According to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, COPD occurs when excess amounts of mucus are created.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of COPD don't appear until significant damage to a person's lung takes place, according to the Mayo Clinic. Signs include shortness of breath, wheezing, chest tightness, chronic coughing and frequent respiratory infections.

Causes

• Causes of COPD lung disease include emphysema, chronic bronchitis, cigarette smoking, and other irritants, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Risk Factors

• Risk factors for COPD lung disease include smoking tobacco, exposure to dust or chemicals at work, being over the age of 40, having gastroesophageal reflux disease, and alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency.

Complications

• COPD can cause complications such as respiratory infections, high blood pressure, heart problems, lung cancer, and depression according to the Mayo Clinic.

Treatment

• According to the National Lung Health Education Program, COPD lung disease can be treated with exercising, breathing retraining, bronchodilator drugs, and inhalers.