Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

COPD is a collective term for two closely related conditions of the respiratory system: chronic bronchitis and emphysema In many cases, chronic bronchitis and emphysema occur together, although there may be more symptoms of one than the other The biochemical aspects of COPD are quite complex and involve the dysregulation of activated neutrophils, serine proteases and inflammatory cytokines in response to environmental triggers This article reviews the difference between the two disease processes, their clinical features, aetiology, biochemical. considerations and nutritional recommendations.