Chronic obstruction of the flow of air through the airways and out of the lungs is very often irreversible. People having this condition suffer from chronic bronchitis or emphysema and are said to have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD.

The anatomy and functions of respiratory tract, the process of respiration, COPD related conditions - chronic obstructive bronchitis and emphysema, their pathophysiology, causes, risk factors, and management of the disease using medications, oxygen therapy, surgery and life style modifications are explained in this presentation.