According to a new study, people with small airways relative to the size of their lungs may have a lower breathing capacity and, consequently, an increased risk for COPD—even if they don’t smoke or have any other risk factors. The study, funded in part by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), part of the National Institutes of Health, will publish in the June 9 issue of JAMA(link is external).
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a debilitating lung condition, often develops as a result of smoking, but researchers have long puzzled over why nearly a third of cases occur in people who never smoked. Now they may finally have an answer—and it may be linked to how lungs develop in certain people.
While still an outpatient at the NW lung centre I was seen on one occasion by a professor who is involved in global research into lung development in foetuses and very young children exposed to cigarette smoke. He strongly felt that that exposure predisposed children to being at higher risk of developing lung disease in later life.
I am an ex smoker but was never a heavy smoker compared to my dad who didn't develop lung disease. The only time my mum smoked was while she was pregnant with me. I have sometimes wondered if that affected my lung develpment but there is no way to know unless an autopsy is performed after my demise but unfortunately I won't be around to see the result!
I'm 82 now and stopped smoking in 1985. I was diagnosed with COPD in 2010. As a teen I was an informal champion underwater swimmer so had a fair old lung capacity. These people don't know what they talk about!
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50yr old smoker just quit have some questions
Very breathless lying down
Called: Back In The Day
Why don't people want to quit smoking?
newly diagnosed with copd
