Introduction
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is defined as a chronic lung disease that causes obstructed flow of air from an individual’s lungs. It refers to many lung illnesses resulting in severe disabilities or death (Celli & Wedzicha, 2019). This condition can include asthma, chronic bronchitis, or emphysema or incorporate the three illnesses.
COPD causes inflammation of a person’s airways, lung tissue destruction, and airflow reduction, which eventually makes it difficult to inhale sufficient oxygen needed by the body. The development of COPD is gradual, and a patient might not have symptoms at the beginning. However, breathing becomes challenging as the illness progresses and an individual’s everyday life is adversely affected (Celli & Wedzicha, 2019). Lifestyle habits such as smoking, diet, exposure to toxic chemicals, and alcohol play a crucial role in damaging the body and progressing COPD.
Smoking Factor
This is a detrimental factor that contributes to the development and progression of COPD. Kentson et al. (2018) explain that smoking tobacco causes neutrophils influx into the lungs and releases proteases and elastase resulting in approximately one million deaths yearly (Kentson et al., 2018). A major COPD component, known as emphysema, is caused by excess proteases and destroys the collagen matrix and elastin, supporting the lung structure (Celli & Wedzicha, 2019). Passive smoking increases the possibility of COPD because the smoke contains human carcinogens, toxic substances, and irritants (Kentson et al., 2018). Secondary inhalation increases the total burden of the gases taken into the lungs leading to COPD and respiratory symptoms.
Outdoor and Indoor Air Pollution Factor
Air pollution has significantly increased over time because of urbanization and industrialization. Kentson et al. (2018) explain that chronic exposure to air pollution leads to impairs the lungs and is caused by irritants. Examples of outdoor pollutants include ozone, fossil fuel smoke, nitrogen dioxides, and sulphur dioxide. In contrast, the source of indoor contaminants is burning biofuels, for example, agriculture crops, dung cake, and wood (Celli & Wedzicha, 2019). Inhaling smoke from these fuels damages an individual’s lungs, especially if the rooms are poorly ventilated.
Diet and Nutrition Factor
Most developing countries have westernized their diet and increased the possibility of developing COPD. These foods have free sugars and excess fats, and complex carbohydrate food deficiency. (Kentson et al., 2018). Overconsumption of salt causes the body to retain water which acts similarly to extra fat in the diaphragm, making it challenging for an individual to breathe normally (Kentson et al., 2018). Nutritional abnormalities result in unexplained loss of weight and weakness of the respiratory muscles.
Alcohol Factor
Drinking enhances the damage to the lungs, which might worsen the existing symptoms or cause COPD. Kentson et al. (2018) explain that lung irritation occurs when lung cells responsible for destroying bacteria are inhibited, resulting in breathing difficulties and severe allergic reactions. Additionally, alcohol increases the air left in the lungs after breathing in and minimizes their capacity to diffuse it in the blood, leading to lower air saturation.
Conclusion
In summary, COPD obstructs the flow of air from an individual’s lungs. Patients might not experience a symptom in the early stages of the disease, but it worsens with time. Lifestyle habits such as smoking cause Emphysema because of the toxic chemicals derived from smoke. Other factors that increase COPD and lung cancer risk include indoor and outdoor air pollution, changes in diet and nutrition, and alcohol.
References
Celli, B. R., & Wedzicha, J. A. (2019). Update on clinical aspects of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. New England Journal of Medicine, 381(13), 1257-1266.
Kentson, M., Leanderson, P., Jacobson, P., & Persson, H. L. (2018). The influence of disease severity and lifestyle factors on the peak annual 25 (OH) D value of COPD patients. International journal of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, 13, 1389.