Causes of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

•    Smoking-80-90% of COPD cases in the US are caused due to cigarette smoking. The risk of developing the disease is directly proportional to the age of the person and the amount of smoke he/she is exposed to.
•    Secondhand smoke
•    Air pollution-Although not a confirmed fact, it is believed that people living in urban areas are more likely to develop respiratory infections than those in rural areas.
•    Occupational exposure-Long term exposure to workplace dust, fumes and chemicals in industries such as mining, cotton textile, welding etc.
•    Autoimmune disease-Inflammation has been observed in people who quit smoking after having been smokers all their life.
•    Genetics-Alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency (rare genetic disorder) has been found to be the cause of less than one percent of COPD in the US.
•    Other factors-Repeated infection of the lungs, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, a diet that includes a lot of cured meats.