chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or COPD, is a limitation of how much air a person can inhale and exhale. Smoking has long been considered a major risk factor, but some smokers avoid the problem while some non-smokers develop COPD. A new study identifies a risk factor we haven't really considered that seems to play as large a role as smoking.
Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are the two most common conditions responsible for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).