Chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) A group of diseases characterized by limitation of airflow usually resulting from an increase in resistance from partial or complete obstruction at any level. Epidemiology of COPD: Globally, as of 2010, COPD affected approximately 329 million people (4.8% of the population). Between 1990 and 2010 the number of deaths from COPD decreased slightly from 3.1 million to 2.9 million and became the fourth leading cause of death. In 2012 it became the third leading cause as the number of deaths rose again to 3.1 million. more common in older people ASTHMA: Asthma is a bronchial hypersensitivity disorder characterized by reversible airway obstruction, produced by a combination of mucosal edema, constriction of the bronchial musculature, and excessivesecretion of viscid mucus, causing mucous plugs. Asthma is a chronic lung disease that obstructs airflow The obstruction is reversible It involves dyspnea due to –...