In alveoli, an inflammatory response cause the destruction of tissues of lung, this process is knows as emphysema. A natural course of COPD is also characterized by the occasional worsenings of symptoms that are called acute exacerbation; most of them are caused by the air pollution or infections. COPD diagnosis requires function of lungs tests. Some important management strategies are vaccinations, smoking cessation, drug therapy and rehabilitation, where patients go on requiring a long-term oxygen therapy of the lung's transplantation.

COPD had ranked sixth as cause of death worldwide in year 1990, after that, it is projected that third leading cause of death by the year 2020 probably be the same above reason.

One of most common symptoms of COPD is breath shortness, where people with COPD commonly describe that "my breathing requires effort", "I can't get enough air" or "I am feeing out of breath". People having COPD first notice dyspnea during the vigorous exercise when demands on lungs are greatest.

Dyspnea dents to get worse gradually so that it can also occur during the milder in everyday activities such as housework. Few signs of COPD are there that a heath worker may detect although they can be also be seen in other disease. Primary risk factor is smoking; passive smoking (smoke of smoker's cigarette) can also be a cause, although there is no proof for this.