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Known to many as chronic bronchitis or emphysema, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is estimated to affect 32 million persons the United States, where it is also the fourth leading cause of death. COPD prevalence has increased dramatically in the past few decades and is one of the major causes of bed-confining disability. COPD refers to a group of conditions that cause shortness of breath and are associated with obstruction of air flow within the lung. Patients typically have symptoms of both chronic bronchitis and emphysema, but the classic triad also includes asthma. These processes are chronic bronchitis, emphysema and, to a lesser extent, asthma. While each case of COPD is unique in the blend of processes, two main types of the disease are recognized. The body compensates with lowered cardiac output and more rapid breathing. Aggressive and prompt intervention may be the only action that prevents respiratory failure.
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