Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, also known as COPD, is a serious lung condition that causes breathing difficulties that worsen over time. There are two main types: chronic bronchitis and emphysema. In chronic bronchitis, a person’s airways are inflamed, which leads to increased mucus production, airway narrowing, shortness of breath, and a cough. In emphysema, the lungs’ air sacs are damaged, depriving the body of oxygen. Smoking is the most common cause of COPD.

NYU Langone doctors provide expert diagnosis and treatment of lung conditions like COPD. At the nationally renowned Rusk Rehabilitation, people with COPD work with physical therapists and exercise physiologists to improve their symptoms and quality of life.