COPD: Risk Factors & Prevention

2023 Author: Wallace Forman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-08-25 11:04

COPD can have several causes. Smoking is one of the risk factors. In addition, permanent harmful influences - for example at work and environmental pollution - put a strain on the lungs. Certain genetic dispositions also play a role…

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Smoking & Quit Smoking
Dust & other pollutants
Infections & Other Diseases
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Smoking & Quit Smoking

One of the most important risk factors is smoking. Many patients with COPD smoke or have smoked - sometimes many cigarettes and for years. Passive smoke can also damage the lungs. Therefore, it is best not to smoke and not expose yourself to the blue haze. See nicotine for more information.

Dust & other pollutants

Inhaling dust, dangerous gases and vapors can damage the respiratory tract in the long term and promote COPD. This is the case, for example, with people who, due to their professional activity, are regularly exposed to dust, etc. over a longer period of time - for example during road works, in tunnel construction, on construction sites or in agriculture.

General air pollution (e.g. fine dust, soot, exhaust gases, etc.) also has a negative effect on the lungs.

You can obtain information on dangers and the corresponding protection at the workplace from the following offices:

Labor inspection,
AUVA,
Occupational physicians
Company doctors

You can find information on environmental pollution on the website of the Federal Environment Agency.

You can call up the current ozone pollution under Services.

Infections & Other Diseases

Frequent severe infections in childhood and rare childhood diseases that affect the airways can promote the development of later COPD. Severe, inadequately treated asthma or inconsistent avoidance of the triggers are also associated with a risk. Asthmatics who smoke are particularly at risk. Furthermore, developmental disorders of the lungs in newborns and a congenital deficiency of alpha-1-antitrypsin can promote the development of COPD.

Preventive action

The development or exacerbation of COPD can be prevented by a wide variety of measures, including:

Do not smoke,
As little contact as possible with pollutants at work, in living space and in leisure time.
Certain vaccinations (influenza, pneumococci) for COPD patients.

For more information, see Influenza: Risk Groups & Prevention and Hygiene Tips.