It is estimated that by 2030, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), along with lung cancer, will be the third cause of death worldwide, but what are the causes of lung disease?
According to doctors, there are several factors involved in the development of COPD.
As part of World COPD Day, a disease that affects 52 million people and causes 2.7 million deaths a year worldwide, experts say that the main causes of this disease are:
- Frequent exposure to wood smoke
- Smoking or staying in contact with cigarette smoke
- Urban pollution
- Chemical vapors
- Dust from the environment or work
- Low concentrations of a protein that is generated in the liver called alpha-1-antitrypsin
- Being exposed to asbestos, a natural fiber that can be found in the air or cling to clothes
Most lung diseases are characterized by a persistent obstruction of the air flow in the lungs and inflammation in the airways. Even their most common symptoms are shortness of breath, chronic cough and abnormal sputum.
Diseases such as COPD are not curable, however, there are treatments to reduce and control symptoms, as well as to improve the health status and quality of life of people.
