COPD is a disease state characterized by airflow limitation that is not fully reversible.
The airflow limitation is usually both progressive and associated with an abnormal inflammatory response
of the lungs to noxious particles or gases.
The main cause for developing COPD is tobacco smoking. Other risk factors are indoor pollution
(biomass fuels used for cooking and heating), outdoor pollution and occupational dusts and chemicals
(vapors, irritants and fumes).
Symptoms of COPD include cough, sputum production and breathlessness. Breathing becomes difficult,
laboured, or uncomfortable. As symptoms interfere with daily activities, walking up a short flight of
stairs may become very difficult or impossible.
COPD is a commonly under-diagnosed, life threatening lung disease that progressively leads to death.
Indirect and direct annual costs, caused by COPD, have been estimated in the USA as 32 billion USD,
and in Europe some 60 billion USD.
Treatment for COPD is available to alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life, however there
is no cure. The first step for those with COPD is to quit smoking and to avoid unhealthy occupational
and indoor air exposure.
COPD is not just simply a "smoker's cough", but a disease that kills 3 million people worldwide
per year.
WHO estimates that there are 1.1 billion tobacco users worldwide, increasing to 1.6 billion by 2025.
In low- and middle-income countries, tobacco use is increasing at an alarming rate.
