Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

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tiny protective hairs called cilia help keep the dust and other
pollutants from entering your lungs. These airways end in tiny air sacs
known as alveoli. The alveoli transfer oxygen from the air you inhale
directly into the bloodstream.

Chronic bronchitis is one of the major lung diseases that underlie COPD.
Chronic bronchitis often develops in people over age 40 who are or used to
be moderate to heavy smokers. In chronic bronchitis, the bronchial tubes
have been constantly irritated by inhaled cigarette smoke, air pollution,
or other harmful substances. After the bronchial tubes have been irritated
for a long measure of time, their walls are likely to thicken or swell.
They produce more mucus, so less air flows through. The irritated airways
become an ideal breeding place for infections that can endanger the lungs.

At first, a person with COPD may only notice a shortness of breath while
exercising, or they might notice a “morning cough,” similar to a smoker’s
cough. ...

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