Which risk factors are associated with COPD
                     Which risk factors 
are associated with 
COPD?
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) refers to a health condition where your airflow gets 
blocked due to a group of lung problems. Patients suffering from this issue find it difficult to breathe 
without any assistance. The common COPD symptoms include chronic cough, shortness of breath, 
frequent respiratory infections, fatigue, wheezing, production of mucus, and weight loss. For those 
who want to learn more about COPD, we have detailed some facts about this health problem in our 
following sections. Here you go!
What causes COPD?
COPD is a lung disease that can result from several reasons. These include inhaling second-hand 
smoke, occupational exposure to fumes and chemicals, smoking, and breathing in poor indoor and 
outdoor air quality. It is vital to note here that some COPD causes like exposure to fumes can even 
trigger exacerbations and worsen the condition.
Risk factors related to COPD
Asthma-
People who have asthma are at an increased risk of developing COPD. Research shows that you 
become 12 times more vulnerable to COPD if you have never smoked but have this breathing 
condition. The risk is even higher for those who have asthma and do smoke. Thus, it is necessary to 
treat this health condition that involves episodes of inflammation and narrowing of the airway. 
Failure in doing so can damage your lungs and increase health complications.
• Infections-
Viral and bacterial lung infections during childhood are linked with increased respiratory symptoms 
that contribute to the development of COPD. Chronic lung infections like tuberculosis add to the risk 
of this disease. Patients with HIV should also take proper precautions as they are also vulnerable to 
COPD.
• Socioeconomic status-
Those who belong to the lower socioeconomic status are more vulnerable to COPD as compared to 
others. Researchers aren’t exactly sure about the cause but believe that the link is poor nutrition, 
exposure to irritants, untreated lung infection, and the effects of smoking, which are more common 
in people from these groups.
• Older Age-
Since COPD takes years to develop, it is more common in older people than in young individuals. 
This is because the cumulative effects of smoking, exposure to air pollutants, and recurrent 
infections can damage the lungs over the years. As a result, most people are at least 40 when 
diagnosed with COPD.
However, you should not worry much as ageing alone does not cause COPD Symptoms without 
other risk factors.
So, these are the risk factors that are related to the development of COPD. Therefore, people who 
belong to the categories mentioned above should take extra precautions to stay safe from COPD.
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