Member Postings » People Reaching People

COPD

from wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a group of diseases of the lungs in which the airways become narrowed. This leads to a limitation of the flow of air to and from the lungs causing shortness of breath. In contrast to asthma, the limitation of airflow is poorly reversible and usually gets progressively worse over time. COPD is caused by noxious particles or gases, most commonly from smoking, which trigger an abnormal inflammatory response in the lung. The inflammatory response in the larger airways is known as chronic bronchitis, which is diagnosed clinically when people regularly cough up sputum. In the alveoli, the inflammatory response causes destruction of the tissue of the lung, a process known as emphysema. The natural course of COPD is characterized by occasional sudden worsenings of symptoms called acute exacerbations, most of which are caused by infections or air pollution.

MEMBER POSTINGS

You must be logged in to create a member posting. Sign Up or Login to People Reaching People.

Kip

02/25/2009 02:54 PM

COPD

Great information on this link!

URL:

http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/artic
les/706.html

No one has left comments on this member posting yet.

MY GROUPS

You are currently not a member of any groups.