What is the general umbrella term for diseases that include emphysema and chronic bronchitis?

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is the general umbrella term that encompasses a group of progressive lung diseases, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis. This classification indicates that both conditions share similar characteristics, primarily characterized by increased airflow limitation and breathing difficulties over time, largely due to damage in the lungs.

Emphysema involves the gradual destruction of the alveoli, the air sacs in the lungs, which diminishes the surface area available for gas exchange, leading to symptoms such as shortness of breath. Chronic bronchitis, on the other hand, is defined by persistent cough and mucus production resulting from inflammation of the bronchial tubes. Both conditions are often caused by long-term exposure to irritants, particularly cigarette smoke, and they frequently coexist in patients, reinforcing the need for collectively recognizing them under the COPD diagnosis.

The other options do not accurately capture the full range of conditions represented by emphysema and chronic bronchitis. For instance, asthma is a separate respiratory condition characterized by episodes of airway constriction, while pneumonia is primarily an acute condition related to lung inflammation and infection. Chronic Lower Respiratory Disease is a broader category that might include COPD but does not specifically define it in the same way. Therefore, Chronic Obstruct