what causes obstructive airway disease
At the end of a full exhalation, an abnormally high amount of air may still linger in the lungs. The most common causes of obstructive lung disease are: 1  Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis.2  Asthma. 3  Bronchiectasis.t the end of a full exhalation, an abnormally high amount of air may still linger in the lungs. The most common causes of obstructive lung disease are: 1  Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis.