A 57-year-old man presents to the clinic for assessment of shortness of breath on exertion. The symptoms started many months ago after a "cold" and seem to be getting worse. There is no associated cough or sputum production, and he reports a 40-pack-per-year history of smoking. He otherwise feels well and his only past health history is hypertension that is well controlled on amlodipine. On physical examination, there are bilateral wheezes on expiration and increased resonance to percussion of the chest. Pulmonary function tests confirm the diagnosis of chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD). Which of the following is the best definition of this condition?