Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a group of progressive lung diseases that obstruct airflow. You may experience breathing difficulties, but you can treat and even prevent flare-ups.

It can be difficult to tell asthma and COPD apart because both may include coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. Asthma is a risk factor for COPD and your chances of having both increase as ...