What causes COPD?

Tobacco smoke causes up to 90% of all cases of COPD. This includes other people's smoke. In fact, a smoker is at least 10 times more likely to die of COPD than a nonsmoker.

Another cause of COPD is exposure to indoor or outdoor pollutants. If you are exposed to toxic chemicals and pollutants at work, you may be at higher risk of developing COPD.

COPD can also be caused by a rare genetic condition called Alpha-1-Antitrypsin Deficiency.

What quitting can do for you

COPD is progressive. That means it will get worse over time. If you still smoke, quitting is the only way to slow the damage. And quitting at any point will help you improve your health. Quitting — together with medicine, exercise, and a healthy diet — may help you breathe better.

Quitting smoking is tough and it can take several tries before you succeed. There are many options to help you. These include over-the-counter products and prescriptions. And there are different kinds of quitting programs. The good news is your doctor may be able to help you find the right help. Plus, there are things you and your doctor can do to help you breathe better while you are trying to quit.

What happens when you quit

As soon as you quit smoking your body begins a series of changes that can continue to improve your health.

Short-term and Long-term effects of quitting

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