copd causes
COPD can be caused by different things: 1  Tobacco smoke â The most common cause of COPD is tobacco smoke. 2  Air pollutants â Chemicals, dust, fumes and secondhand smoke are examples of air pollutants that can cause COPD if a person breathes them in over a long period of time.
Common Causes of COPD. Cigarette smoke is by far the most common reason people get COPD. You can also get it from tobacco products, such as cigar and pipe smoke, especially if you breathe in the smoke. Secondhand smoke is also an issue. Even if you arenât a smoker, you can get COPD from living with one.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease includes chronic bronchitis, in which the bronchi (large air passages) are inflamed and scarred, and emphysema, in which the alveoli (tiny air sacs) are damaged. It develops over many years and is usually caused by cigarette smoking. Also called COPD.