Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is usually categorized by 2 diseases, chronic bronchitis and emphysema. But there is also chronic obstructive asthma. All are characterized by inflammation and obstruction. It is a fight for life.

Chronic bronchitis is where you have wheezing and coughing up of mucous 3 months or more a year. It is an inflammatory disease of the bronchial tubes, causing them to be congested with the mucous, where the tubes become swollen from it and breathing is hard and feeling tight in the are of bronchial tubes. The coughing to expel the mucous is important for it helps to

unplug the tubes and airways. The mucous is kind of like clogged arteries but not from plague but from mucous which seems almost like a sticky glue wanting to keep itself lodged in the tubes.

Emphysema is wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing, the expelling of mucous, tightness in the chest, a barrel chest from trying to breath and the alveoli in the bottom of the lungs get stretched out of shape and hold air in making it hard to expel the air already trapped in there so the air exchange of fresh and stale air is not effective so the person is also tired.

Chronic obstructive asthma is having the coughing up of mucous, shortness of breath, tightness in the chest and it seems at times like trying to breath through a straw. Asthma in itself can be reversible but chronic obstructive asthma is not for the asthma has caused an obstruction in the airways that can not be reversed.

Most doctors, and medical books blame COPD on smoking, but more are seeing the effects of second hand smoke on people's lung and it can cause COPD and even lung cancer.

COPD makes daily life hard. It is hard to walk without becoming short of breath, doing chores is hard for the same reason, learning to pace yourself helps but sometimes not even that works. Taking short breaks between chores is advisable, also working from a chair rather than standing helps. It is about conserving your energy. You should eat six small meals a day compared to three for even eating can make you tired. Also, plenty of protein is advisable to keep up your strength.

To understand what life is like for these people try breathing through a plugged straw. You'll get the feel real quick.

There are many different medications can one take to help ease the symptoms of COPD, an inhaled steroid, medications like singulair, can help. Oxygen usually is needed at some point

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