Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease causes
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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Microchapters |
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Differentiating Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease from other Diseases |
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Diagnosis |
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Treatment |
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Case Studies |
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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease causes On the Web |
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American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease causes |
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Directions to Hospitals Treating Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease |
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Risk calculators and risk factors for Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease causes |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Philip Marcus, M.D., M.P.H. [2]; Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [3]
Overview
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), also known as chronic obstructive airway disease (COAD), is a group of diseases characterized by the pathological limitation of airflow in the airway that is not fully reversible. COPD is the umbrella term for chronic bronchitis, emphysema and a range of other lung disorders. It is most often due to tobacco smoking,[1] but can be due to other airborne irritants such as coal dust, asbestos or solvents, congenital conditions such as alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency and as well as preserved meats containing nitrites.
Causes
In the United States, tobacco use is a key factor in the development and progression of COPD, but asthma, exposure to air pollutants in the home and workplace, genetic factors, and respiratory infections also play a role. In the developing world, indoor air quality is thought to play a larger role in the development and progression of COPD than it does in the United States.
External link
http://www.cdc.gov/copd/index.htm