chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Long-term lung damage, usually from smoking, that makes it hard to breathe out fully. Includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

An obstructive lung disease that is a chronic and progressive disorder of small airways in the lungs and that is characterized by irreversible airflow obstruction, typically identified by reductions in quantitative spirometric indices, induced forced expiratory volume at 1 second (FEV1) and the ratio of FEV1 to forced vital capacity (less than 0.7 is diagnostic of COPD). Lung volume is increased and pulmonary hypertension may occur. The pathologic changes result in the disruption of the airflow in the bronchial airways. Signs and symptoms include shortness of breath, wheezing, productive cough and chest tightness. COPD is a consequence (an end result) of chronic bronchitis, emphysema or both.

Signs and symptoms

• Chronic pulmonary obstruction

Medications that may treat it

ensifentrine metipranolol revefenacin roflumilast timolol

Also known as: COLD; COPD; chronic obstructive airway disease; chronic obstructive lung disease