Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by progressive airflow obstruction and affects approximately 15 million people in the United States. COPD is associated with a high degree of morbidity and mortality, ranking as the fourth leading cause of death and third leading cause of hospitalization in the U.S Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a term referring to two lung diseases, chronic bronchitis and emphysema, that are characterized by obstruction to airflow that interferes with normal breathing. Both of these conditions frequently co-exist, hence physicians prefer the term COPD. It does not include other obstructive diseases such as asthma. Smoking is the primary risk factor for COPD,Approximately 80 to 90 percent of COPD deaths are caused by smoking....
