7 Things You Didn’t Know About COPD

COPD Does Not Affect Only Smokers

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2. COPD Does Not Affect Only Smokers

While is true that as many as nine out of 10 people diagnosed with COPD are past or current smokers, COPD can also develop in people who don’t smoke. Other risk factors for this condition include exposure to toxic chemicals such as silica and cadmium, or working in places with excessive dust, industrial smoke or other air pollutants. If you work in such environment, or if you are a miner, furnace worker or grain farmer, you should see your doctor regularly to assess the function of your lungs.

Resources

National Library of Medicine (Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency)University of Maryland Medical Center (Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (COPD: The More you Know, the Better for you and Your Loved Ones.)

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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a serious lung disease that can affect your entire body and quality of life.

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