Diseases

Lower Respiratory Disease

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Chronic lower respiratory disease (clrd) is a serious illness affecting millions of people. ... The obstruction is irreversible in chronic bronchitis and emphysema, reversible in asthma. Before 1999, clrd was called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (copd).

SYMPTOMS

Emphysema develops gradually. The initial symptom of emphysema is dyspnea, or shortness of breath; a cough might also be present, as chronic bronchitis often precedes emphysema. As the disease progresses, even a short walk can result in difficulty in breathing.

CAUSES

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or copd, refers to a group of diseases that cause airflow blockage and breathing-related problems. It includes emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and in some cases asthma.