Asthma is a chronic disease marked by difficulty with breathing. Asthma causes a narrowing of the airways, resulting in wheezing, coughing, tightness in the chest and shortness of breath.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a lung disease caused by damage to the lungs over a long period of time, usually due to smoking. Symptoms include coughing and shortness of breath, and because it takes many years to see symptoms, COPD occurs most often in people over 60 and gets worse over time.
Pulmonary hypertension is a type of high blood pressure that affects the lungs and right side of the heart. It begins when tiny arteries in the lungs become narrowed or blocked, causing the right ventricle in the heart to pump harder. It is a serious, progressive disease with no cure.
Pulmonary rehabilitation includes a number of services to help those affected by chronic pulmonary diseases. The programs aim to improve quality of life, and could include education, treatment and exercise.
