Symptoms
Risk Factors
Get Tested for COPD
Living with COPD |
| The Risk Factors for COPD |
Am I at Risk for Getting
COPD?
Most people who are at risk for getting COPD have never
even heard of it. Many times, people do not even know that the problem has a
name. The following are all risk factors for getting COPD.
- Smoking
Smoking is believed to be the most common cause of COPD. COPD occurs
most often in people over 40 with a past or present record of smoking.
Smoking accounts for over 80% of people with COPD. And it accounts for
90% of COPD caused deaths.
- Environment
Less than 20% of people with COPD have never smoked. COPD can also occur
in people who have had long-term contact with things that can bother
their lungs. Some of these include dust or fumes at work. Heavy or
long-term contact with secondhand smoke or other air toxins may also
cause COPD.
- Genetic Factors
In some people, COPD is caused by alpha-1 antitrypsin, or AAT
deficiency. It is likely that as many as 100,000 people in the U.S. have
it. Like COPD, many people are not aware that they have AAT. People with
AAT can get COPD even it they have never smoked or had long-term contact
with things that can bother their lungs.
- Allergies and Asthma
Allergens and asthma can cause changes in the lungs and airways that may
lead to COPD.
- Diet
Poor eating habits can increase the risk for long problems. Nutrients
should only come from natural food sources.
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