Common Causes
A number of factors can contribute to the development of COPD.
Most, though not all, fall into the category of long-term irritant exposure.
Many of the causes of COPD can triggerexacerbationswith worsening symptoms as well.
© Verywell, 2018
Smoking and Secondhand Smoke
Smoking is by far the number one cause of COPD.
If you have a family history of COPD, your risk is further increased by your smoking habit.
Pipe and cigar smoking,smoking marijuanaand cigarettes, and/or long-term exposure tosecondhand smoke, amplify the inherited risk.
But both outside air and indoor air play a role in causing COPD.
Outdoor
Outdoor pollutants are also risk factors for COPD.
Chronic lung infections, such as tuberculosis, are especially linked to COPD.
Bronchitis, an infection of the bronchi, can become chronic, especially if you smoke.
Rest assured, however, that aging itself does not cause COPD in the absence of these risk factors.
Being Female
Women may have a higher sensitivity to COPD risk factors than men.
But it can also be related to other factors, such as immune or hormonal differences.
Under normal circumstances, this inflammatory response is useful and leads to healing.
In fact, without it, the body would never recover from injury.
However, repeated exposure to airway irritants perpetuates an ongoing inflammatory response that actually damages lung tissue.
Over time, this process causes structural and physiological lung changes that get progressively worse.
Eventually, the lung damage leads to COPD.
While indoor triggers are often easier to stay away from, avoiding outdoor triggers requires more thought and planning.
Early diagnosis leads to earlierCOPD treatmentand a better chance of survival.
These six questions can help you get a sense of your risk of COPD.
Most people dont get diagnosed until theyre in their 50s or 60s.
It is a result of airway narrowing.
A chronic cough is long-term, persistent and does not improve with medical treatment.
Any amount of chronic mucus production may be indicative of COPD.
The more “yes” answers, the more likely it is that COPD is behind your symptoms.
For more severe cases, surgery is sometimes an option.
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