Written or medically reviewed by a board-certified physician. See About.com's Medical Review Policy.

Updated June 10, 2015.

Definition:
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a blanket term used to describe a group of diseases that cause lung damage, including obstruction or narrowing of the airways, and destruction of the air sacs within the lungs. Two common forms of COPD are chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

Caused by inhaling a lung irritant repeatedly over the course of many years, most cases of COPD are related to cigarette smoking.

See also:
"COPD Statistics"
"Do I Have COPD?"
About.com's COPD Guide Site

Also Known As: chronic obstructive airway disease; chronic obstructive lung disease