Chronic Bronchitis and Emphysema (COPD) – People and Risk Factors
People at risk
- People who have had several lung infections (for example, pneumonia and tuberculosis) during their childhood;
- People who, for genetic reasons, are deficient in alpha 1-antitrypsine are prone to emphysema at a very young age. Alpha 1-antitrypsin is a protein produced by the liver that neutralizes substances normally present in the lungs, found in greater quantities during infections. These substances can destroy lung tissue. This deficiency leads to emphysema at an early age;
- People with stomach pains frequently (gastroesophageal reflux disease). Small amounts of stomach acid that travels up the esophagus can be drawn into the lungs and cause pneumonia. In addition, the bronchi of people who have reflux have opening diameters that are generally smaller than normal (due to excessive stimulation of the vagus nerve), which also contributes to respiratory disorders ;
- People including one close relative suffered from chronic bronchitis or emphysema.
Does having asthma increase your risk? The subject has long been debated. Nowadays, most experts believe that asthma is not related to COPD. However, an individual can get both asthma and COPD. |
Risk factors
- Smoking for several years: this is the most important risk factor;
- L’exposition à la secondhand smoke ;
- Exposure to an environment in which the air is responsible for dust or toxic gases (mines, foundries, textile factories, cement factories, etc.).