chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

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chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD, chronic obstructive airways disease, COAD) n. a disease of adults, especially those over the age of 45 with a history of smoking or inhalation of airborne pollution. It has features of emphysema and chronic bronchitis and is diagnosed, according to the GOLD guidelines, at different stages (0–4) based on the value of the forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1). Different treatment regimens are recommended for different stages: inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting beta agonists can improve quality of life and survival in the later stages.

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