Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is common term used to describe progressive lung diseases and includes emphysema, chronic bronchitis and some forms of bronchiectasis. This disease is characterized by increasing breathlessness, wheezing, coughing and mucus production. Many people mistake their increased breathlessness and coughing as a normal part of aging. In the early stages of the disease, the symptoms may be mild. COPD can develop for years without noticeable shortness of breath.
