Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a serious condition of the lungs.
Emphysema, a chronic bronchitis are usually cause by years of cigarette smoking. Afflicted individuals are almost always diagnosed with both at once. Hence the umbrella term, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.
Years of inhaling toxins, prolonged exposure to air pollution and second hand smoke or even a history of childhood lung infections can also lead to COPD.
