Which of the following is considered a group of lung diseases that block airflow and make it difficult to breathe?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is considered a group of lung diseases that block airflow and make it difficult to breathe. This term encompasses conditions such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis, which lead to progressive and persistent airflow limitation. Individuals with COPD experience chronic obstruction during airflow and often have symptoms like shortness of breath, cough, and sputum production.

COPD is primarily associated with long-term exposure to harmful substances, typically from smoking, but also from air pollution or occupational dust and chemicals. The underlying pathology in COPD includes inflammation of the airways, destruction of lung tissue, and excessive mucus production, which altogether obstruct normal airflow and impede proper breathing.

In contrast, while asthma can also cause airflow obstruction, it is characterized by its variability and is often reversible with treatment. Pneumonia is an infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs, which leads to fluid or pus filling the air sacs, but it is not classified as a chronic lung disease. Interstitial lung disease refers to a group of disorders that affect the interstitium (the tissue and space around the air sacs) and can lead to stiffening of the lungs. Although it affects breathing, the mechanism and nature of airflow obstruction differ significantly from