Causes of airway occlusion
Emphysema is one of the causes of airway blockage. This lung illness destroys the fragile walls and elastic fibers of the alveoli. As a result, when you exhale, small airways collapse, reducing airflow out of your lungs.
Bronchitis is chronic. Your bronchial tubes become inflamed and narrowed in this illness, and your lungs generate more mucus, which can further clog the restricted airways. In an attempt to clean your airways, you acquire a chronic cough.
Tobacco smoke and other irritants
Long-term cigarette smoking causes lung damage that leads to COPD in the great majority of patients with COPD. However, because not all smokers get COPD, additional factors like genetic vulnerability to the disease are likely at work.
COPD can also be caused by other irritants such as cigar smoke, secondhand smoke, pipe smoke, air pollution, and workplace exposure to dust, smoke, or gases.
Deficiency of alpha-1 antitrypsin
COPD is caused by a genetic abnormality that causes low amounts of a protein called alpha-1-antitrypsin in roughly 1% of persons (AAt). To assist protect the lungs, AAt is produced in the liver and secreted into the bloodstream. Therefore, Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency can result in liver or lung illness, or both.
Treatment options for persons with COPD caused by AAt deficiency include those utilized for patients with more common kinds of COPD. Furthermore, some people can be treated by restoring the missing AAt protein, preventing additional lung damage.
Risk elements
Tobacco smoke exposure is one of the risk factors for COPD. Long-term cigarette smoking is the most significant risk factor for COPD. The longer you smoke for and the more packs you smoke, the higher your risk. In addition, people who smoke pipes, cigars, or marijuana and those exposed to a lot of secondhand smoke may be at risk.
Asthmatic people. Asthma, a chronic inflammatory airway disease, may increase the chance of developing COPD. In addition, asthma combined with smoking raises the risk of COPD even further.
Occupational dust and chemical exposure. Long-term workplace exposure to chemical fumes, vapors, and dusts can irritate and inflame your lungs.
Exposure to fumes produced by the combustion of gasoline. People exposed to fumes from burning fuel for cooking and heating in poorly ventilated dwellings are more likely to acquire COPD in developing countries.
Genetics. The unusual genetic condition alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency causes some cases of COPD. In addition, other hereditary variables may predispose certain smokers to the condition.
