<unk>  <unk>  is a type of progressive lung<unk>  that is preventable and treatable.<unk>  is characterized by long-term respiratory symptoms and airflow limitation. The main symptoms include shortness of breath and a cough, which may or may not produce mucus.<unk>  progressively worsens with everyday activities such as walking or dressing becoming difficult. The two most common conditions of<unk>  are emphysema and<unk>  bronchitis, and they have been the two classic<unk>  phenotypes. Emphysema is defined as enlarged airspaces (alveoli) whose walls break down resulting in permanent damage to the lung tissue.<unk>  bronchitis is defined as a productive cough that is present for at least three months each year for two years. Both of these conditions can exist without airflow limitation when they are not classed as<unk> . Emphysema is just one of the structural abnormalities that can limit airflow and can exist without airflow limitation in a significant number of people.<unk>  bronchitis does not always result in airflow limitation but in young adults who smoke the risk of developing<unk>  is high. Many definitions of<unk>  in the past included emphysema, and<unk>  bronchitis, but these have never been included in GOLD report definitions. Emphysema and<unk>  bronchitis remain the predominant phenotypes of<unk>  but there is often overlap between them, and a number of other phenotypes have also been described. The most common cause of<unk>  is tobacco smoking. Other risk factors include indoor and outdoor pollution, exposure to occupational irritant substances such as dust from grains, cadmium dust or fumes, alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency, being an older man, and genetics. In developing countries, common sources of indoor air pollution are the use of coal, and biomass such as wood and dry dung as fuel for cooking and heating. Most people living in European cities are exposed to damaging levels of air pollution. The diagnosis is based on poor airflow as measured by spirometry. Most cases of<unk>  can be prevented by reducing exposure to risk factors such as smoking and indoor and outdoor pollutants. While treatment can slow worsening, there is no conclusive evidence that any medications can change the long-term decline in lung function.<unk>  treatments include smoking cessation, vaccinations, pulmonary rehabilitation, inhaled bronchodilators, and corticosteroids. Some people may benefit from long-term oxygen therapy, lung volume reduction, and lung transplantation. In those who have periods of acute worsening, increased use of medications, antibiotics, corticosteroids, and hospitalization may be needed. As of 2015,<unk>  affected about 174.5 million people (2.4% of the global population). It typically occurs in males and females over the age of 35–40. In 2019 it caused 3.2 million deaths, 80% occurring in lower and middle income countries, up from 2.4 million deaths in 1990. The number of deaths is projected to increase further because of continued exposure to risk factors and an aging population. In the United States in 2010 the economic cost was put at US$32.1 billion, and projected to rise to US$49 billion in 2020. In the United Kingdom this cost is estimated at £3.8 billion annually.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Tracheobronchomalacia
Asthma
Bronchiectasis
Reactive airway disease
Pneumonia
End stage pulmonary disease
Acute bronchitis