Which conditions are classified under Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease?

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) encompasses a group of progressive lung diseases that primarily cause airflow obstruction. The two main conditions classified under COPD are emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

Emphysema is characterized by the destruction of the alveoli (air sacs) in the lungs, which impairs the exchange of gases and leads to shortness of breath. Chronic bronchitis involves persistent inflammation of the airways, resulting in cough and production of sputum. Together, these conditions are commonly associated with long-term exposure to irritating gases or particulate matter, most often from cigarette smoke. The definition and classification of COPD focus on these obstructive processes that are not fully reversible and lead to significant respiratory impairment.

The other options include conditions that, although they may affect lung function, do not fall under the classification of COPD. Asthma, for example, is a condition characterized by reversible airway obstruction and inflammation, while cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder that leads to thick mucus production and affects the lungs and other systems. Pneumonia and lung cancer are acute and malignant conditions respectively, and they do not meet the criteria for COPD. Interstitial lung disease and sarcoidosis are conditions that involve the lung parenchyma