14 causes of wheezing—and how to treat it

3. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
COPD is a group of progressively worsening lung diseases that includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. COPD occurs when the tiny air sacs—called alveoli—that sit at the bottom of the bronchial tubes are destroyed and do not work well to exchange oxygen. Smoking cigarettes and other tobacco products causes 90% of COPD.

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