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COPD
- Causes
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Long-term exposure to
lung irritants that damage the lungs and the airways usually is the cause of
COPD.
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o Smoking is the major cause of COPD. The
poisons in cigarette smoke can weaken the lungs' defence against infections,
narrow air passages, cause swelling in air tubes and destroy air sacs.
About 80-90% of all COPD is caused by cigarette smoking.
·
o In the United States, the most common irritant
that causes COPD is cigarette smoke. Pipe, cigar, and other types of tobacco
smoke also can cause COPD, especially if the smoke is inhaled.
o Breathing in second-hand smoke, air pollution,
or chemical fumes or dust from the environment or workplace also can contribute
to COPD. (Second-hand smoke is smoke in the air from other people smoking.)
o Pollution in the air and irritating fumes and
dusts, especially on the job, can also cause COPD.
o A small number of people have a rare form of
COPD called alpha-1 (AAT) related emphysema. This form of COPD is caused by an
inherited lack of a protective protein in the blood.
o Although uncommon, some people who have asthma
can develop COPD. Asthma is a chronic (long-term) lung disease that inflames
and narrows the airways. Treatment usually can reverse the inflammation and
narrowing. However, if not, COPD can develop, especially when a persons smokes.
·
The reason why some
smokers never develop COPD and why some non-smokers get COPD is not fully
understood. Hereditary (genetic) factors probably play a role in who develops
COPD.
·
Reference:
National Institutes of Health http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/copd
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