The document discusses the lower respiratory tract and diseases that affect it such as COPD and restrictive pulmonary diseases. COPD includes chronic bronchitis, bronchiectasis, emphysema, and asthma and results in irreversible lung damage. Restrictive pulmonary diseases decrease total lung capacity through fluid, fibrosis, or tumors. The document also examines the symptoms, causes, and treatments of various lower respiratory diseases including bronchiectasis, emphysema, asthma, and pneumonia. It provides details on drugs used to treat COPD such as sympathomimetics, leukotriene antagonists, cromolyn, and glucocorticoids.