Understanding COPD: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment

COPD is a progressive lung disease that makes breathing feel like sucking air through a straw.

The two main types are chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Your lungs normally exchange oxygen

and carbon dioxide efficiently, but with COPD, the airways become inflamed and the

air sacs lose their elasticity. This traps air in your lungs and makes exhaling incredibly

difficult. The number one cause is smoking, but long term exposure to air pollutants,

chemical fumes, and dust can also trigger it. Early symptoms include a persistent cough

that produces mucus, shortness of breath during activities, and frequent chest infections.

As it progresses, you'll notice wheezing, chest tightness, fatigue, and weight loss.