COPD: Are You at Risk?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a serious lung disease that makes it hard to breathe. COPD includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. It is the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S. and currently affects 16 million Americans. And that number is growing.

Are you at risk?
A variety of factors may increase your chance of getting this disease. You can do certain things to help avoid some of them, but others are out of your control. The risk factors for COPD include:

• Smoking. This is the most common cause of COPD. People age 40 and above with a history of smoking (currently or in the past) have the greatest chance of getting the disease.
• Inhaling pollutants. Long-term exposure to things that can irritate your lungs, such as:
  • Certain chemicals, dust or fumes in your workplace or home.
  • Secondhand smoke.
  • Outdoor and indoor air pollution. This includes coal dust and biomass fuel burned for cooking and heating in poorly ventilated homes.
• Heredity. You may have inherited a genetic risk factor (called alpha₁-antitrypsin deficiency) for the disease. You can get a blood test to find out.
• Severe respiratory infections as a child. Having these in childhood may decrease lung function and increase breathing problems in adulthood.
• Asthma. Although the reduced airflow brought on with asthma can be reversed (unlike that in COPD), asthma can progress to COPD.

What can you do about it?
Whether or not you have COPD risk factors, you can take steps to help prevent it. Follow these tips and any others your doctor recommends:

• Don't smoke. If you are a smoker, quit. It's the best thing you can do to help prevent more lung damage. For help:
  • Talk to your doctor.
  • Join a stop-smoking support group.
  • Visit www.smokefree.gov or call 1-800-QUITNOW.
• Avoid pollutants. Try to stay away from things like smoke and dust that could irritate your lungs. Stay inside when the air quality outside is poor.
• See your doctor if you are having breathing problems, such as:
  • Coughing or phlegm (mucus)
  • Shortness of breath
  • Trouble doing your usual activities because of breathlessness
• Control your asthma.
  • Avoid your asthma triggers.
  • Control symptoms with medications as directed.
  • Check your lung function using a peak flow meter.
• If you already have COPD, here are two ways that you can prevent a flare-up:
  • Get a flu shot each year. Also, avoid crowds during flu season.
  • Have a pneumococcal vaccine. This can help prevent a type of pneumonia that can be very serious, especially if you have lung disease.

COPD takes a long time to develop. Symptoms may not show up until you're between the ages of 50 and 70. Taking action now may help you avoid it in the future.