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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.)Related Search Topics
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COPD is a chronic lung disease that can cause difficulty breathing and fatigue. Learn about the early signs of COPD to see if you're at risk.
