What is COPD, the deadly lung disease?

Listen to Story Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a progressive lung disease that makes breathing difficult. It includes conditions like chronic bronchitis and emphysema, both of which lead to airflow obstruction and respiratory symptoms such as chronic cough, wheezing, and shortness of breath. COPD is a leading cause of death worldwide, affecting millions of people.

The primary risk factor for COPD is smoking while air pollution is an environmental risk factor. Approximately 80-90% of COPD cases are linked to tobacco use. Inhaling smoke damages the airways and alveoli (air sacs in the lungs), causing inflammation, narrowing of air passages, and loss of lung tissue.

In 2021, over 3.1 million people died of COPD, as per the World Health Organisation. It is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide.

Other risk factors include long-term exposure to air pollution, occupational dust, and chemicals, as well as a genetic condition known as alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, which can increase vulnerability to lung damage. COPD develops over many years, often without noticeable symptoms until the disease has advanced. Symptoms commonly include persistent cough, mucus production, fatigue, and frequent respiratory infections.

Over time, COPD can lead to severe difficulty in breathing and reduced quality of life. Managing COPD involves a combination of lifestyle changes, medications, and therapies. The first step is quitting smoking, which is the most effective way to slow .