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Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or COPD is a general term for several lung
diseases, including chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and chronic asthma. These diseases
are characterized by an obstructed airflow through the airways in and out of the lungs.
The term COPD is most often used to refer to two related diseases -- chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Both cause excessive inflammatory processes that eventually lead to abnormalities in lung structure and permanently obstruct airflow (hence the term "chronic obstructive"). Both are generally permanent conditions that worsen over time. COPD adds to the work of the heart, since the amount of oxygen that goes to the blood may be reduced. The two primary causes of COPD are cigarette smoking and alpha1 antitrypsin deficiency. Tobacco use is the number one risk factor for COPD, and heavy smokers are at greatest risk. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 75 percent of deaths from COPD that occur in developed countries are directly related to smoking tobacco. Having alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency, also called familial emphysema, is another risk factor. People with familial emphysema have a hereditary deficiency of alpha-1- protease inhibitor. When there is a deficiency of AAT, the activity of elastase—an enzyme that breaks down elastin—is not inhibited, and elastin degradation occurs unchecked. Individuals with a severe genetic deficiency of AAT usually have symptoms by the time they reach early middle age. It is critical that people with this deficiency never smoke. Approximately 1 to 3 percent of all cases of emphysema are due to AAT deficiency. Air pollution and occupational dusts may also contribute to COPD, especially if the person exposed to these substances is a smoker. In addition, a recent study shows that adults with asthma are 12 times more likely to develop COPD than those who do not have the condition. |
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