What is COPD? How is it different to asthma?

What is COPD? How is it different to asthma?

COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is a chronic inflammatory lung disease which causes an obstruction of the airflow to the lungs that makes it hard to breathe. The main conditions responsible for causing this obstruction are emphysema and chronic bronchitis. It is one of the most common respiratory diseases in the UK, affecting around 3 million people.