Are you at risk for COPD?

Lung diseases like COPD can seriously impact a person's life, which is why it's important to reduce risk factors and see a doctor when symptoms appear. Robin Miller, M.D. talks in this video about what COPD is and who's at risk for it.

Transcript

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ROBIN MILLER: Are you at risk for COPD? That's chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder. And it's a common condition that makes

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it hard for 15 million Americans to breathe. And many more people may have COPD and not know it.

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Ask yourself if any of these risk factors applies to you. Are you a smoker? Most people with COPD have smoked

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at some point in their lives and many still do. If you smoke, it's a good reason to quit.

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If you're a former smoker, let your doctor know if you have any trouble breathing. Are you exposed to environmental toxins?

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That includes industrial chemical fumes and dust, air pollution and secondhand smoke. All of those pollutants can irritate your lungs

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and raise your chances of getting COPD.

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Does COPD run in your family? If so, you may have an inherited condition called Alpha 1 Antitrypsin Deficiency that

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can raise your risk for COPD. I'm Dr. Miller.

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For more ways to safeguard your health, watch all our smart tips. [MUSIC PLAYING]