Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a group of progressive lung diseases that obstruct airflow. You may experience breathing difficulties, but you can treat and even prevent flare-ups.
MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease surveillance–UnitedStates, 1971-2000. . 2002;51:1-20. Vital Health Stat 3.
Pope Francis was in critical condition Monday after suffering double pneumonia, but he was battling bronchitis before that.