COPD and who is at risk?
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May 14, 2018
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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic inflammatory lung disease, which obstructs air flow in the lungs. COPD Symptoms include chest tightness, difficulty in breathing, wheezing and mucus production. Early prevention and treatment may help to prevent respiratory problems, serious lung damage and heart failure. Following are risk factors for developing COPD.
- Smoking: - Smoking is main risk factor for COPD. Exposure to tobacco smoke for long term is dangerous to health. Risk of developing COPD depends on how long a person smokes and how many packs per day he smokes. Exposure to secondhand smoke also increases the risk. Secondhand smoke includes both the smoke exhaled by the person and the smoke from burning tobacco.
- Air pollution: - Prolonged exposure to indoor and outdoor pollutants can develop COPD. Indoor pollutants are burning bio mass, poorly ventilated stoves and cooking with fire. Prolonged exposure to environmental pollution is another risk factor.
- Pollution: - Prolonged exposure to chemicals, gases and industrial dust can easily irritate and inflame the airways of lungs. This leads to the risk of developing COPD.
- Genetics: - People who are not smokers and never had long term particular exposure to develop COPD, may also suffers from this disease. The genetic disorder leads to lack of the protein alpha 1 (α1) -antitrypsin (AAT), which develops COPD.
- Age: - People 40 years of age or older, who are current or former smokers can easily develop COPD.
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Disclaimer: Don’t follow any suggestions in this article without consulting a qualified doctor
Sources:1. “Am I at Risk for COPD?” https://www.healthline.com/health/copd/risk-factors
2.” COPD: THE MORE YOU KNOW, THE BETTER FOR YOU AND YOUR LOVED ONES” https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/copd/campaign-materials/html/copd-atrisk.htm