Risk Factors for COPD

List of Risk Factors for COPD

The list of risk factors mentioned for COPD in various sources includes:

• Cigarette smoking - the major risk
• Age
• Heredity
• Occupation pollution exposure
• Environmental air pollution
• History of childhood respiratory infections
• Low socioeconomic status

Risk factors discussion:

Cigarette smoking is the most important risk factor for COPD; it would probably be a minor health problem if people did not smoke. Other risk factors include age, heredity, exposure to air pollution at work and in the environment, and a history of childhood respiratory infections. Living in low socioeconomic conditions also seems to be a contributing factor. (Source: excerpt from What is COPD: NHLBI)

Risks factors for COPD: medical news summaries:

The following medical news items are relevant to risk factors for COPD:

• Congenital second hand smoke risks lung disease
• COPD and beneficial use of inhaled steroids
• COPD takes its toll
• Passive smoking during childhood increases risk of adult lung cancer
• More news »

About risk factors:

Risk factors for COPD are factors that do not seem to be a direct cause of the disease, but seem to be associated in some way. Having a risk factor for COPD makes the chances of getting a condition higher but does not always lead to COPD. Also, the absence of any risk factors or having a protective factor does not necessarily guard you against getting COPD. For general information and a list of risk factors, see the risk center.

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