Contents:
- Medical Video: Understanding COPD
- What increases your risk of getting COPD?
- 1. Smoking
- 2. Air pollution
- 3. Dust and chemicals
- 4. Genetics
- 5. Age
Medical Video: Understanding COPD
According to WHO, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a life-threatening lung disease that interferes with normal breathing. This condition is more than just "smoker's cough." More than 3 million people die from COPD in 2012, which is comparable to 6% of all deaths globally that year. More than 90% of COPD deaths occur in low and middle income countries, including Indonesia.
COPD occurs slowly and usually worsens over time. At its initial stage, this disease does not cause symptoms. Early prevention and treatment can help avoid serious lung damage, serious respiratory problems, and even heart failure. The first step is to find out your personal risk factors for this disease.
What increases your risk of getting COPD?
1. Smoking
The main risk factor for COPD is smoking, which accounts for up to 90% of COPD deaths, according to American Lung Association (ALA). Smokers are about 13 times more likely to die from this disease than those who have never smoked.
Long-term exposure to tobacco smoke is very dangerous. The longer the year and the more packets of cigarettes you suck, the greater your risk.
Stem smokers and cigar smokers are all equally risky. Exposure to passive cigarette smoke (secondhand smoke) also increases your risk. Passive cigarette smoke contains both smoke from burning tobacco and smoke exhaled by smokers.
2. Air pollution
Although smoking is by far the main risk factor for COPD, smoking is not the only risk factor. Indoor and outdoor pollutants can also cause this condition if the exposure is intense or prolonged.
Indoor air pollution includes particulates from smoke from solid fuels used for cooking and heating. Examples include wood stoves with poor ventilation, burning of biomass or coal, or cooking with fire.
Exposure to large amounts of environmental pollution is another risk factor. Indoor air quality plays an important role in the development of COPD in developing countries. However, urban air pollution - such as traffic pollution and burning related pollution - poses greater health risks throughoutworld.
3. Dust and chemicals
Long-term exposure to dust, chemicals and industrial gases can irritate and cause inflammation airway and lungs, thereby increasing the chance of COPD. People with professions often faced with exposure to chemical dust and vapors, such as coal miners, grain workers, and metal mold makers, have a greater risk of developing this disease.
One study at American Journal of Epidemiology found that the COPD fraction associated with work was estimated at 19.2% overall and 31.1% among those who never smoked.
4. Genetics
In rare cases, genetic factors can cause people who have never smoked or who have been exposed to long-term particulates to get COPD. Genetic abnormalities cause a deficiency of α1-antitrypsin (AAT). Many people actually have AAT deficiency, even though only a handful realize it.
Although AAT deficiency is the only genetic risk factor for COPD present, the possibility of several genes is an additional risk factor. Researchers have not been able to prove this.
5. Age
COPD is most often experienced by people who are at least 40 years of age who have a history of smoking. This incidence increases with age. Even though there is nothing you can do if it is about age, you can take steps to maintain health.
If you have COPD risk factors, it is important to discuss it with your doctor. ALA recommends consulting a doctor about proactive COPD if you are over 45 years old, have family members who suffer from this disease, or if you are an active smoker or ex-smoker. Early detection of COPD is the key to successful treatment.
Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
