Which long-term lung condition is characterized by obstructed airflow and symptoms such as cough and shortness of breath?

The condition characterized by obstructed airflow and symptoms such as cough and shortness of breath is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD is a progressive lung disease that primarily includes conditions like emphysema and chronic bronchitis, both of which lead to reduced airflow due to inflammation and damage to the lungs over time. The hallmark of COPD is a persistent respiratory symptom accompanied by airflow limitation that is usually progressive and associated with an enhanced chronic inflammatory response in the airways and lungs.

While asthma is also associated with airflow obstruction, it is typically reversible and often presents at a younger age with different triggers, making it distinct from COPD. Bronchitis can be a part of COPD, but it alone doesn't encompass the broader disease process that includes emphysema. Pneumonia, on the other hand, is an acute infection that affects lung tissue and leads to inflammation but does not primarily cause chronic obstructed airflow. Thus, COPD is the most accurate choice for a long-term condition marked by chronic symptoms and airflow obstruction.