Symptoms often develop gradually and may be mistaken for a "smoker's cough" until the disease is advanced. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease - StatPearls - NCBI
COPD typically manifests through two primary conditions that often occur together:
Destruction of the lung's air sacs (alveoli), which reduces the surface area for oxygen exchange and causes the lungs to lose their elasticity. Key Symptoms
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive, inflammatory lung condition that restricts airflow and makes breathing difficult. It is the third leading cause of death worldwide.
Long-term inflammation of the bronchi, often characterized by a persistent, productive cough with mucus.