COPD

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Questions to Ask Your Doctor about COPD(Free Handout)

Causes



Smoking tobacco causes 80% to 90% of COPD cases. An agent in tobacco smoke stimulates inflammation in the lungs, leading to destruction of the alveoli and narrowing of the airways. While smoking is related to most cases of emphysema only 15% to 20% of smokers develop the disease. What other factors contribute to the development of "smokers emphysema" remains unclear.


Familial emphysema, or alpha1-antitrypsin (AAT) defi...Read the full article

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Causes


Smoking tobacco causes 80% to 90% of COPD cases. An agent in tobacco smoke stimulates inflammation in the lungs, leading to destruction of the alveoli and narrowing of the airways. While smoking is related to most cases of emphysema, only 15% to 20% of smokers develop the disease. What other factors contribute to the development of "smokers emphysema" remains unclear.


Familial emphysema, or alpha1-antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency-related emphysema, is caused by the hereditary defic[hc_contentfeedback=www.pulmonologychannel.com|/copd/causes.shtml||]READ[/hc_contentfeedback]

COPD is not just caused from smoking it is also caused from 2nd hand smoke and the enviroment in which you work in.....

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Healthcommunities.com, Inc., (HC) Editors Note:

The above comment has been reviewed by HC and the following supporting documentation was found:

According to the World Health Organization (WHO):

"The most important risk factors for COPD are tobacco smoking, indoor air pollution (such as biomass fuel used for cooking and heating), outdoor air pollution, and occupational dusts and chemicals (vapors, irritants, and fumes)."

According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the NIH:

"Cigarette smoking is the most common cause of COPD. Most people with COPD are smokers or former smokers. Breathing in other kinds of lung irritants, like pollution, dust, or chemicals, over a long period of time may also cause or contribute to COPD."

According to the American Lung Association:

"Smoking is the primary risk factor for COPD. Other risk factors of COPD include air pollution, second-hand smoke, history of childhood respiratory infections and heredity. Occupational exposure to certain industrial pollutants also increases the odds for COPD."