List of Seven things, Other than Cigarettes - that may cause COPD

Rather than Cigarette, Some other  things also may Cause COPD

1. Wood Smoke and Coal.

Wood and coal are both biomass fuels. Many people around the world burn them to produce heat or light. Heat is another byproduct of combustion. But, also produced is smoke. In this smoke are many of the same chemicals and particles in cigarette smoke. These are aerosolized and easily inhaled.

When inhaling this smoke day after day after day, it can damage lungs. So, studies of women in the third world or developing nations show high incidences of COPD. It’s not caused by cigarette smoking in these cases, as they rarely smoke. But, they do spend their days cooking over wood stoves. They also use wood and coal to stay warm.

Not everyone who cooks over wood stoves will develop COPD. Smoke usually goes up, and people try to avoid it. So, it’s rare that you can develop COPD from campfires and things like that. Researchers believe burning biomass in poorly ventilated areas is what is likely to cause COPD.

2. Cigar and Pipe Smoke.

You may be inhaling less smoke. But, you are indeed inhaling smoke. And, this smoke is formed by combustion of biomass. So, both of these may also cause COPD. We should also include marijuana here. Marijuana is shown to open airways. But, the risks may, in this case, be greater than the benefits. Some studies show that your risk of developing COPD if you smoke marijuana daily is the same as if you inhale tobacco smoke daily.

3. Outdoor Air Pollution.

Yes, you can develop COPD even if not exposed to smoke. Early studies seem to indicate that you can get it by inhaling outdoor air pollution. When this occurs, it is definitely done naturally. You just happen to inhale the polluted air. You do it unknowingly. You can’t see it. You can’t smell it. It’s just there. It’s probably more likely to cause COPD in populated areas. But, this is only a theory. Studies are ongoing to learn more about the impact of outdoor air pollution on COPD. Further studies may prove this theory false too.

4. Indoor Air Pollution.

Say you work in a factory. You are inhaling dust or fumes every day. The dust contains harmful particles. The fumes contain harmful chemicals. Both may cause changes in your lungs. Both may cause COPD.

5. Genetics.

There is a particular gene that may cause COPD. It’s called the alpha-1 antitrypsin gene. If you have it, you may develop COPD even if you never smoked. You can learn more about it by reading, “It’s a Genetic Thing.

6. Poor Lung Growth.

Your mom’s environment may contribute to your COPD. So, your mom smokes. Or, maybe your mom doesn’t smoke. Maybe she lives in an urban area and inhales lots of outdoor air pollution. Or, maybe she has a job that requires her to inhale dust or fumes. In either case, this may lead to poor lung growth. This can predispose you to develop COPD later in life. I described this in more detail in my post, What Is The Fetal Origins Hypothesis.

7. The Aging Process.

In this case, it’s called senile emphysema or COPD. It’s when your lungs naturally break down over time. It’s part of the normal aging process. Most people will develop this if they live long enough. Like any disease, it develops at different times and intensities from one person to another. It’s generally not diagnosed until after the age of 70. And it’s usually not considered a disease, but a result of aging. In most people, it’s never significant enough to even be recognized.

Why is this important?

It can help researchers better understand this disease. It can help them learn better strategies for treating it. And, ultimately, this may lead to better guidelines to help doctors best treat you. It may even lead to an eventual cure. This is all in an effort to help you breathe easier and live better with COPD.

These are seven things that may contribute to the development of COPD over time. While cigarette smoke is the most likely culprit, there are many other causes as well. Sometimes it’s even diagnosed in people who never smoked. A simple query about your lifestyle and your environment can help doctors learn how you got it.

To know more about COPD: https://goo.gl/VMGjwN 

COPD: https://goo.gl/W6HMuu