What is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) primarily characterized by?

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is primarily characterized by chronic inflammatory lung disease that leads to obstructed airflow from the lungs. This inflammation is a result of long-term exposure to irritants such as cigarette smoke, air pollution, and occupational dust and chemicals. The chronic nature of this inflammation causes structural changes in the lungs, including thickening of the airway walls and destruction of lung tissue, particularly in emphysema, which is one of the main components of COPD.

This chronic inflammation is what distinguishes COPD from other respiratory conditions that may involve acute or reversible changes. In COPD, the airflow obstruction is not fully reversible, unlike in conditions such as asthma where airflow can typically be restored with bronchodilators. The obstructive pattern in COPD leads to symptoms such as difficulty breathing, chronic cough, and increased mucus production, which are hallmarks of the disease. Thus, the defining characteristic of COPD is its nature as a chronic inflammatory lung disease that results in persistent respiratory symptoms and airflow limitation.