COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)

Focusing on COPD

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, often abbreviated to COPD (pronounced Cee-Oh-Pea-Dee) is a long term breathing disorder that includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis and affects approximately 4% of the Canadian adult population. COPD is the 4th leading cause of death in Canada and is a major reason for hospitalization. In the majority of cases, COPD is caused by smoking and is characterized by airflow limitation and indications of shortness of breath, chronic cough, increased sputum production, and wheezing.