Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease also abbreviated as COPD. This includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema; these are strongly associated with smoking. Broadly they are of two types, the ‘blue bloaters’ those suffering from chronic bronchitis predominantly and the ‘pink puffers’ those battling emphysema. However the intermediate types are also known, though not common.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that causes obstructed airflow from the lungs. Both chronic bronchitis and emphysema have different underlying pathology and their cardinal symptoms. Chronic bronchitis is the inflammation of the membrane lining the air sacs or the alveoli, which leads to alveoli flooded with mucus and cough with copious mucus is the lead. In emphysema, the end bronchioles are destroyed by the nicotine and the other particulate matter produced during the act of smoking, usually presenting as shortness of breath predominantly.

The common presentation includes: shortness of breath, labored breathing, persistent cough with mucus (sputum), wheezing, cyanosis (bluish discoloration), chest tightness, unintended weight loss, frequent respiratory infections and lack of energy or ever tiredness. At the risk people are the long-term cigarette smokers, ones suffering with asthma and chronic smokers, long-term exposure to chemical fumes, vapors and dusts at workplace which irritate and inflame the lungs, genetic deficiency of alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency is the cause in some cases and with age the disease slowly sets in!