ANATOMY

Detailed explanation-1: -There may be destruction of parts of the lung, mucus blocking the airways, and inflammation and swelling of the airway lining. COPD is sometimes called emphysema or chronic bronchitis. Emphysema usually refers to destruction of the tiny air sacs at the end of the airways in the lungs.

Detailed explanation-2: -With COPD, less air flows through the airways-the tubes that carry air in and out of your lungs-because of one or more of the following: The airways and tiny air sacs in the lungs lose their ability to stretch and shrink back. The walls between many of the air sacs are destroyed.

Detailed explanation-3: -Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) causes permanent damage to the lungs and narrows the airways (bronchi). This makes breathing difficult once the disease has reached an advanced stage.

Detailed explanation-4: -Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that causes obstructed airflow from the lungs. Symptoms include breathing difficulty, cough, mucus (sputum) production and wheezing.

Detailed explanation-5: -Approximately 85 to 90 percent of COPD cases are caused by smoking. Female smokers are nearly 13 times as likely to die from COPD as women who have never smoked; male smokers are nearly 12 times as likely to die from COPD as men who have never smoked. Other risk factors for COPD include: Exposure to air pollution.