Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) (cont.)
Medical Author:
Sat Sharma, MD, FRCPC, FCCP
Coauthor:
Lauri Graham
Medical Editor:
Ryland P Byrd Jr, MD
Medical Editor:
Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD
Medical Editor:
Zab Mosenifar, MD
IN THIS ARTICLE
COPD CausesCigarette smoking or exposure to tobacco smoke Cigarette smoking or exposure to tobacco smoke is the primary cause of COPD. While COPD occurs in 15% of cigarette smokers, tobacco use accounts for as much as 90% of the risk for the development of this disease. Secondhand smoke or environmental tobacco smoke also increase the risk of respiratory infections and can result in a decrease in lung function. People with COPD experience a more rapid decline in what is called forced expiratory volume, or FEV. FEV is the maximum volume of air that can be exhaled within a specified time period, starting from maximal inhalation. A subscript indicates the time period in seconds. For example, FEV1 is the maximum volume of air that can be exhaled within 1 second. A decline in FEV causes a person to become short of breath and to have difficulty breathing. Air pollution It is not clear if air pollution causes COPD. However, if it does, the effect is small when compared to cigarette smoking. The use of solid fuels for cooking and heating may cause high levels of indoor air pollution, which may then lead to the development of COPD. Airway hyperresponsiveness Some patients who develop COPD have airway hyperresponsiveness, a condition in which their airways overreact to airborne irritants, such as secondhand smoke and air pollution. The role of airway hyperresponsiveness as a risk factor for COPD in people who smoke is unclear. However, according to one hypothesis, patients who have airway hyperreactivity and who smoke are at an increased risk of COPD and an accelerated rate of decreased lung function. Alpha1-antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency Alpha1-antitrypsin (AAT) is a protein in the body that is produced by the liver and helps protect the lungs from damage. In AAT deficiency, the liver does not produce enough of this protein. AAT deficiency is an inherited condition, and it is the only known genetic risk factor for COPD. It accounts for less than 1% of all cases of COPD in the United States. Severe AAT deficiency leads to emphysema at an early age; in nonsmokers, the average age of onset of emphysema is 53 years, and in smokers, it is 40 years. Next Page: Must Read Articles Related to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Emphysema
Emphysema a long-term, progressive disease of the lungs. The most common symptom of emphysema is shortness of breath. Causes and risk factors for emphysema incl...learn more >>
Viewer Comments & ReviewsChronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease - SymptomsThe eMedicineHealth physician editors ask:The symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease can vary greatly from patient to patient. What were your symptoms at the onset of your disease? |
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Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease »
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a devastating disorder that causes a huge degree of human suffering.
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