Which condition manifests as obstruction of airway outflow in the lungs?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by the obstruction of airflow in the lungs, leading to difficulty in breathing. This condition often results from long-term exposure to irritating gases or particulate matter, most commonly from cigarette smoke. In COPD, the airflow obstruction is typically progressive and associated with an abnormal inflammatory response in the lungs. Patients may experience symptoms such as chronic cough, sputum production, and wheezing. The obstruction results from changes in the lung tissue, including damage to the airway walls and the air sacs (alveoli), making it hard for air to flow out and causing breathlessness.

Understanding COPD's role in obstructive lung disease is critical for distinguishing it from conditions like histoplasmosis, pneumonia, and pulmonary edema, which either cause different pathological processes or lead to restrictive rather than obstructive symptoms.