Asthma is a chronic (continuous) lung disease characterized by episodes or attacks. Inflammation and hypersensitivity to certain “triggers” can result in narrowed airways, swelling of the airway lining, tightening of airway smooth muscles and increased mucus production. Triggers include allergens, environment, emotions, and activity. COPD stands for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. It is a catch all phrase for patients who have emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and asthma. Emphysema is a loss of elasticity of the lungs. The little air sacs, known as alveoli, in the lungs become overstretched, much like a rubber band that has been used too much. As a result, when we exhale, some of the air in our lungs becomes trapped. This trapped air becomes stale causing oxygen and carbon dioxide to be unable to exchange in our blood. This can lead to low oxygen saturation hypoventilation or hypercapnea Emphysema is characterized by a noticeable change in breathing, especially during activity, cough, sometimes wheezing and an increase in the heart rate. Emphysema is most often caused by smoking. Chronic bronchitis is a disease of the mucus membranes in the bronchial passageways. It is characterized by inflammation of the airways, increased mucus production and cough. It is often combined with emphysema and can significantly impair breathing. It is often caused by smoking or exposure to harmful fumes. Lung cancer is a disease where the cells grow rapidly, uncontrollably and sometimes become mutated. There are many different kinds of tumors and the causes vary. Please consult your doctor for more information about any of these diseases or any other types of lung disorders. Hypoventilation: When a patient doesn’t take big enough breaths to keep their oxygen saturation level up, or their carbon dioxide level down. Hypercapnia: When a patient doesn’t breathe effectively enough to get rid of excess carbon dioxide from their blood.