A 62-year-old construction worker presents to the clinic reporting almost a chronic cough and occasional shortness of breath that have lasted for almost 1 year. although symptoms have occasionally worsened with a cold, they have stayed about the same. the cough has occasional mucus drainage but never any blood. he denies any chest pain. he has had no weight gain, weight loss, fever, or night sweats. his past medical history is significant for high blood pressure and arthritis. he has smoked two packs a day for the past 45 years. he drinks occasionally but denies any illegal drug use. he is married with two children. he denies any foreign travel. his father died of a heart attack and his mother died of alzheimer's disease. examination reveals a man looking slightly older than his stated age. his blood pressure is 130/80 and his pulse is 88. he is breathing comfortably with respirations of 12. his head, eyes, ears, nose, and throat examinations are unremarkable. his cardiac examination is normal. on examination of his chest, the diameter seems enlarged. breath sounds are decreased throughout all lobes. rhonchi are heard over all lung fields. there is no area of dullness and no increased or decreased fremitus. what thorax or lung disorder is most likely causing his symptoms?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD is a common lung disease that shows symptoms of increasing breathlessness. COPD includes lung diseases such as chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Causes of COPD are smoking, genetics, and environmental factors. This disease is treatable and can be treated by drinking medications such as bronchodilators, inhaled steroids, drinking antibiotics, and by quitting smoking.