Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common respiratory disease that is characterized by persistent respiratory symptoms and airflow limitation. The airway or alveolar abnormalities are usually caused by significant exposure to noxious particles or gases.
COPD is a progressive disease, meaning that lung function gets worse over time. Symptoms include shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, or frequent respiratory infections. Symptoms may be mild at first, but as the disease progresses, these can become more constant, making it increasingly hard to breathe and consequently limit physical activity.
Lung regeneration is a gradual process, but once the damaged areas get repaired, the indications slowly begin to disappear, lung capacity increases, and patients can breathe more freely.
