Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary
Disease (COPD)
COPD is a group of lung
diseases that block the flow
of air as you breathe out or
exhale. Some of the most
common diseases include:
• Emphysema
• Chronic bronchitis
• Asthma
Air needs to move in and
out of your lungs to meet
your body’s needs. When
the flow of air out of the
lungs is blocked, stale air
becomes trapped in the
lungs. This makes it harder
for the lungs to get enough
oxygen to the rest of the
body.
Causes
The leading causes of
COPD are:
• Smoking
• Working in a polluted environment
• Second hand smoke
Signs
The signs of COPD are:
• Coughing
• Wheezing
• Feeling short of breath