Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, commonly referred to as COPD, is a group of progressive lung diseases. The most common are emphysema and chronic bronchitis . Many people with COPD have both of these conditions. Emphysema is a condition in which the alveoli at the end of the smallest air passages (bronchioles) of the lungs are destroyed as a result of damaging exposure to cigarette smoke and other irritating gases and particulate matter. COPD is treatable. With proper management, most people with COPD can achieve good symptom control and quality of life, as well as reduced risk of other associated conditions. Symptoms of COPD The main symptoms of COPD are: increasing breathlessness, particularly when you're active a persistent chesty cough with phlegm – some people may dismiss this as just a "smoker's cough" frequent chest infections persistent wheezing Without treatment, the symptoms usually get slowly wo...