COPD2 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation 1 Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Name: Institutional affiliation: Pathophysiology of COPD Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary disease (COPD) is a form of obstructive lung disease where there is a change in the normal structure of central airways, peripheral bronchioles and lung parenchyma. Elastases (Human leukocyte elastase) and an increase in oxidative stress caused by free radicals of Cigarette are usually the primary offender that usually cause the cascade of events that lead about lung