Cigarette smoking is by far the biggest cause of COPD. Cigar smoke, seconhand smoke, pipe smoke, air pollution and certain industrial fumes
can also cause COPD.
COPD is usually a mix of two conditions, chronic bronchitis and emphysema, although occasionally only one condition will be present.
Tobacco smoke and other irritants can affect the lungs in the following ways:
- Chronic Bronchitis.Over time tobacco smoke and other irritants can cause inflammation in the airways of the lungs. When they
become inflamed the airways produce more mucus than normal. Inflammation and excess mucus cause coughing and a narrowing of the airways which makes the
patient feel short of breath. Long-term mucus production and inflammation over many years may lead to worsening and permanent lung damage which will
make it more likely that the patient will get recurring lung infections.
- Emphysema. occurs when tobacco smoke and other irritants damage the elastic fibres in the lungs. These allow the
lung tissue to stretch when a breath is taken and also help pull the lungs back to their normal shape when the breath is exhaled. Damaged fibres result
in the breakdown of the tiny air sacs at the end of the lungs which means that less oxygen gets into the blood. Damage to the fibres also causes the
smaller airways to collapse thus further hindering the passage of oxygen into the bloodstream.
Alpha-antitrypsin deficiency is a rare genetic condition which means the body is not able to protect the lungs from damage. Smokers with this condition
usually develop COPD between the ages of 30 and 40 whilst non-smokers with this condition don't usually develop COPD until they are over 80.
