COPD Risk Factors
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Posted On :
Jul-29-2011
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Article Word Count :
569
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A thorough understanding of the primary COPD risk factors is very much essential for initiating the prompt preventive as well as corrective measures.
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A thorough understanding of the primary COPD risk factors is very much essential for initiating the prompt preventive as well as corrective measures. The most striking causative factor of COPD is chronic tobacco smoking, especially cigarettes. The risk of developing COPD is directly proportionate to the number of years a person has smoked. In addition, long-term exposure to marijuana smoke has also been identified as being a major risk factor of COPD. When a person is exposed to various noxious fumes, dusts and vapors, as a part of their occupation, the same enhances the risk of getting afflicted by the ailment.
Here, a rather disturbing fact has to be specifically focused upon. A major chunk of people running the risk of developing COPD are unaware that there is an ailment of this kind (COPD). In light of this, an enumeration of COPD risk factors becomes even more necessary for providing the needed educative information to high risk profiles. It has been observed that, in few cases, an ailment termed as Gastroesophageal reflux disease can bring about COPD, on its own. It has been noted that hereditary also plays a significant role in increasing the risk of getting afflicted by COPD. A genetic abnormality named as alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, which is not that common, could also lead to a person developing the illness (COPD).
Passive smoking is now recognized as a major COPD risk factor. Because of this, people are advised that they keep themselves away from secondhand smoke, as much as possible. In fact, even smokers are strongly urged to refrain from smoking in the presence of non-smokers, especially children. Modernization, along with all the benefits, has also contributed to the rise in air pollution, at an alarming rate. As a matter fact, many studies have been almost able to establish a cause-and-effect relationship between enhanced levels of air pollution and COPD.
Many researches that have been carried out in the recent past are strongly suggesting that there could also be an autoimmune angle to development and aggravation of COPD. These studies state that that condition is a direct outcome of long-term smoking. It is observed that, in few cases, even COPD patients having quit smoking develop severe inflammation in the lungs. In fact, because of this progressive inflammation, COPD continues to get more and more severe. Hence, this particular pattern of inflammation is now accepted as a COPD risk factor, too. Recent studies are also able to establish a link between recurrent infections of respiratory tract and a rise in the risk of COPD. Likewise, when a person consumes a diet that is chiefly comprised of cured meat, they too increase their risk of getting afflicted by the disease.
Last but in way the least, obesity is also now identified as being a primary risk factor of both COPD and also other less severe respiratory ailments. Here, it needs to be conceded that the link between obesity and COPD is not as conclusive as the one between smoking and this condition (COPD). Yet, the available evidence is strong enough to suggest that obesity does impede functioning of the respiratory system. In fact, it has been seen that, generally, when obese patients develop COPD, the dominant condition is chronic bronchitis, and not emphysema. Owing to all these salient points, there is no hesitation in marinating that obesity is indeed a chief COPD risk factor.
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Article Source :
http://www.articleseen.com/Article_COPD Risk Factors_69945.aspx
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Author Resource :
The author has an immense knowledge on copd prognosis. Know more about copd life expectancy related info in his website.
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Keywords :
copd prognosis, copd life expectancy, COPD inhalers, COPD inhaler, COPD risk factor,
Category :
Health and Fitness
:
Health and Fitness
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