Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) refers to chronic lung
disorders that result in blocked air flow in the lungs. The two
main COPD disorders are emphysema and chronic bronchitis, the most
common causes of respiratory failure. Emphysema occurs when the
walls between the lung's air sacs become weakened and collapse.
Damage from COPD is usually permanent and irreversible.
Review Date: 10/09/2009
Reviewed By: Andrew Schriber, MD, FCCP, Specialist in Pulmonary, Critical Care,
and Sleep Medicine, Virtua Memorial Hospital, Mount Holly, New
Jersey. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also
reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
