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COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) is an umbrella term used to describe lung disease associated with airflow obstruction. Most generally, emphysema, chronic bronchitis and chronic asthma either alone or in combinations fall into this category. In COPD, the airways—the tubes that carry air in and out of your lungs—are partly obstructed, making it difficult to get air in and out. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) makes it hard for you to breathe. Coughing up mucus is often the first sign of COPD. COPD is the fourth leading cause of death. There are over 7 million people in our country suffering from asthma and COPD. Around nine percent of the islanders and offshore poor people of Patuakhali, Bhola, Lakkhipur, Noakhali, Feni, Khulna, Chittagong and Cox’s Bazar districts have become susceptible to asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases (COPD) due to heavily indoor pollution. Asthma is a common respiratory disease in Bangladesh with significant morbidity and mortality. Out of seven million asthmatics including four million children, 4,000 die of it every year. Modern management, which is available in the country now, could prevent 80 percent of deaths. Usually big cities like Dhaka and Chittagong are exposed to asthma because of massive air pollution and industrial and automobile exhaust, but recently coastal areas have showed sharp rise of asthma cases due to lung infections, allergy and pneumonia. According to the study conducted by asthma association, smoking by the coastal parents, inhalation of smoke from cooking burners and fluctuation of temperatures owing to cyclone and storms have been contributing significantly for spreading child asthma/COPD in the areas.
Risk Factors for COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease):
Smoking - Smoking is the primary risk factor for COPD. Approximately 80 to 90 percent of COPD deaths are caused by smoking.
 Exposure to Occupational and Environmental Pollutants - Chemicals, industrial smoke, and other air pollutants may be attributable to COPD. Dusts from mining, grain, and other materials can also cause COPD.  Genetic Factors - Persons with a hereditary deficiency of the blood component alpha-1 antitrypsin account for 1% to 3% of COPD cases. 

Allergies and Asthma - Allergens and asthma can cause changes in the lungs and airways that may lead to the development of COPD.  Nutrition - Poor nutrition can increase the risk for dysfunction within the lungs.  Low Birth Weight - Low birth weight has been linked to COPD and this is one of the most significant cause of COPD in our country.
Disease Symptoms and Signs: Chronic cough , Increased sputum (mucus coughed from the airways) , Shortness of breath , Limitation of physical activity
Disease Prevention and Treatment : Key factors to prevent COPD is “Early detection”, “Quit Smoking”, “Improve Life Style” , “Healthy eating habits” and “Take Proper Medication”- (Bronchodilators—medications, often taken by an inhaler, that help open air passageways in the lungs , Corticosteroids—medications taken by inhaler to counteract inflammation in the air passages and lungs , Oxygen—can help patients with COPD who have a hard time getting enough oxygen; often stored in a portable tank , Antibiotics—can be helpful for fighting bacterial infections that make symptoms of COPD worse )