Smoking
Congestive obstructive pulmonary disease attacks the airways of the lungs, causing an obstructed flow of air. Smoking is one of the main causes of this condition. Any smoke inhaled from cigarettes, pipes and cigars can cause it.
Secondhand Smoke
Secondhand smoke is just as serious as smoking. This is the smoke that is inhaled from other people or from the smoke of the tobacco product being smoked. Secondhand smoke can linger in a room well after a person has finished smoking.
Pollutants
Many people are exposed to chemicals and pollutants daily. Sometimes this is the result of their job; other times, it's because they live in an area that has a lot of air pollution. Either way, excessive exposure to fumes, chemicals or polluted air can cause COPD.
Emphysema
Emphysema attacks the alveoli in the lungs. When someone gets emphysema, her alveoli are enlarged and the walls of the alveoli are destroyed. When this happens, exhaling becomes difficult. Another type of this condition is hereditary, called familial emphysema. For this type, the lungs are deficient in an enzyme called alpha antitrypsin, which causes damage to the alveolar walls and leads to compromised exhaling.
Tags: inhaled from, Secondhand smoke, this condition