Airway diseases affect the tubes
(airways) that carry oxygen and other gases in and out of the lungs. They often cause
the airways to narrow or to become blocked. Examples of airway diseases are asthma
and
bronchiectasis.
Smoking is often the cause of airway diseases. For example, smoking can lead to chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD refers to a group of diseases that destroy
the lungs and make it hard to breathe. COPD includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
People with airway diseases often say they feel as if they are trying to breathe out
through a straw.