About COPD
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive lung disease that makes it difficult to breathe. “Progressive” means that the disease gets worse over time.
Approximately 12 million people in the United States have been diagnosed with COPD, and many more may be affected and not know they have it. According to the CDC, COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. Its prevalence increases with age, and men are more likely to have the disease.
The two main forms of COPD are chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Many people have a combination of both.
