Otherwise known as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or COPD, the disease starts with shortness of breath and coughing and over time can lead to disability and death.
It is a major focus of the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand annual scientific meeting, which began in Melbourne on Sunday.
Conference chairman, associate professor Paul Reynolds said COPD may affect up to 20 per cent of the population but the real extent was still being defined as many cases remained undiagnosed.
The disease is largely caused by cigarette smoking.
Reynolds said the symptoms of COPD were often unrecognised, or simply attributed to "normal ageing".
"Patients experiencing shortness of breath are encouraged to see their doctor for assessment," he said in a statement.
"Cessation of smoking remains of paramount importance but there have also been genuine improvements in therapy that can improve quality of life and survival for COPD sufferers.
"Previously held views that smoking-related lung disease is completely irreversible are not valid.
"On a similarly positive note, the reduction in smoking rates that has been achieved in recent years is being reflected in data showing that COPD prevalence in men is starting to drop."
But he said smoking rates among young people were a concern.
Medical and scientific representatives from around the world have gathered in Melbourne for the meeting, which will focus on advances in the diagnosis and treatment of respiratory diseases that affect millions of people.
It concludes on Wednesday.
