Causes of COPD
COPD is more common in people who are above the age of 40 and have a history of smoking. The longer and more often you smoke tobacco, the greater your risk of COPD is. Cigarette, cigar, pipe, and secondhand smoke can all cause COPD. You are at even greater risk if you have asthma [1] and smoke.
Other causes include:
- Exposure to chemical and fumes: Long-term exposure to air pollution and inhaling dust can also cause COPD. It is best to be extra cautious if you work in a place that deals with chemicals and fumes.
- Living in a poorly ventilated home: With a poorly ventilated home, you would constantly inhale gas and fumes from cooking. This can also cause COPD.
- Genetics: There may be a genetic predisposition to developing COPD. An estimated 5 percent of people with COPD have a deficiency in alpha-1-antitrypsin. [2] This deficiency causes the lungs to deteriorate and can affect the liver.