Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

A lung condition characterised by chronic respiratory symptoms (dyspnoea, cough, sputum production and/or exacerbations) due to abnormalities of the airways (bronchitis, bronchiolitis) and/or alveoli (emphysema) that cause persistent, often progressive, airflow obstruction. It is often caused by exposure to toxic substances particularly tobacco smoke or biomass fuels.