What is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease commonly associated with?

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is most commonly associated with smoking, which is one of the leading risk factors for the disease. The harmful substances found in tobacco smoke can cause chronic inflammation, airway obstruction, and damage to lung tissue over time. This results in the progressive respiratory symptoms and reduced lung function characteristic of COPD.

Although age-related lung decline, allergies, asthma, and genetic factors can influence respiratory health, smoking stands out as the primary preventable cause of COPD. Regular exposure to cigarette smoke significantly raises the likelihood of developing this condition, highlighting the importance of smoking cessation in prevention and management strategies for COPD. Addressing and eliminating tobacco use can greatly reduce the prevalence and severity of this disease among populations at risk.