Causes of COPD

Causes of COPD

Cigarette smoking and second-hand smoke are the PRIMARY cause of COPD

Smoking is responsible for 90% of COPD. 

COPD CAN OCCUR EVEN AFTER 15 YEARS OF QUITTING CIGARETTE SMOKING !!

 Smokers with COPD have higher death rates than nonsmokers with COPD. They also have more frequent respiratory symptoms (coughing, shortness of breath, etc.) and a more rapid deterioration in lung function than non-smokers. 

It is important to note that when a COPD patient stops smoking, their decline in lung function slows to the same rate as a nonsmoker. Therefore, it is never "too late" to quit.

Effects of passive smoking or "second-hand smoke" on the lungs are not well-known; however, evidence suggests that respiratory infections, asthma, and symptoms are more common in children who live in households where adults smoke.

Cigarette smoking damages the lungs in many ways. For example, the irritating effect of cigarette smoke attracts cells to the lungs that promote inflammation. Cigarette smoke also stimulates these inflammatory cells to release elastase, an enzyme that breaks down the elastic fibers in lung tissue.