How Nonsmokers Get COPD

The article I found by Laura Darling and reviewed by Judith Marcin, MD, answered some questions of how we nonsmokers can still get COPD. This is a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and a common condition that is often associated with smoking. But, those who have never smoked can also develop the disease.

In a 2011 research, they found over 20% of those diagnosed with COPD are nonsmokers. Environment and genetics play a more significant role than it was originally thought. The airways that bring air in and out of the lungs become inflamed, inefficient and blocked, making breathing difficult. Inflammation worsens and symptoms become more severe if left untreated. Just everyday activities as walking upstairs can cause shortness of breath. Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are the most common forms of COPD.

There are 3 million deaths per year worldwide that are caused by COPD and it ranks as the 4th largest cause of death. It is the 3rd leading cause of death in the US. Amazingly 50% of those with the disease are not even aware that they have it. Many consider the symptoms to be normal signs of aging. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that nearly 16 million adults in the US have COPD.

Secondhand smoke as a child or adult may increase the risk of COPD. Even exposure by an infant to its mother’s tobacco use before birth is a risk. Environmental factors as dust and chemicals in the home, the outdoor environment, and the workplace are other risks. Don’t forget that air pollution and smog are definite contributors. Those who are in contact with coal dust and crystalline silica at work are at an increased risk with about 15% of COPD cases being linked to the workplace. Other industries are rubber, plastics, textiles, leather, and construction.

Respiratory infections as a child or adult and other respiratory conditions, such as asthma, are included in the risk factors. Nonsmokers who had asthma were 8.3% more likely to develop COPD than those without the condition.

A protein made in the liver called alpha-1 antitrypsin may account for up to 5% of those with COPD. Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AAT) affects nearly 1 in every 3,000-5,000 people in North America, and those who smoke and have AAT are at a greater risk of COPD.

Another factor in developing COPD is age and that usually has symptoms over the age of 40. The condition increases with age and those 65 and over are most at risk.
Symptoms of COPD in nonsmokers are shortness of breath after even short periods of low-level exercise, wheeziness, coughing producing excessive phlegm, tightness in the chest, tiredness and low energy levels, intolerance to exercise and nagging and persistent cough.

Those who have COPD have an increased risk of feeling breathless after everyday activities, having depression and other mental illness, being unable to work or socialize as they want, needing special breathing equipment and experiencing confusion or memory loss. Spirometry is a breathing test that is used to diagnose COPD by blowing into a machine that measures the ability of the airways to move the air out. Other tests that may be indicated are blood tests, chest X-rays or CT scans of the chest.

There is no cure for COPD but the earlier the diagnosis, the more they can do to ease the symptoms. Some treatments are the use of inhaled drugs, flu and pneumonia vaccinations, oxygen therapy, antibiotics to treat chest infections and anti-inflammatory drugs called glucocorticoids.

Reducing your risk is to avoid high-risk environments and certain occupations, and do NOT smoke. Avoid fumes from tobacco, high air pollution, diesel, and where things such as straw, grass and animal dung are burned as fuel. Avoid industrial cleaning agents that may pose a chemical hazard.

Dr Fredda Branyon