Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an umbrella term used to describe a variety of long-term, progressive lung diseases, including emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and sometimes asthma. The three main symptoms of COPD include shortness of breath, wheezing, and chest tightness. Shortness of breath, or dyspnea, is the most common symptom of COPD and is characterized by a feeling of breathlessness, even when at rest. Wheezing is another common symptom of COPD and is caused by narrowed airways. Finally, chest tightness is a symptom of COPD characterized by a feeling of pressure or squeezing in the chest. In addition to these three symptoms, other common symptoms of COPD include persistent coughing, fatigue, excess mucus production, and frequent chest infections.