Are You at Risk for COPD?

Are You at Risk for COPD? (1:07)

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.

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Hi, I'm Dr. Miller. Are you at risk for COPD? Thats Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder, and it's a common condition that makes it hard for 15 million Americans to breath, and many more people may have COPD and not know it. Ask yourself if any of these risk factors applies to you? Are you a smoker? Most people with COPD have smoked at some point in their lives and many still do.

If you smoke it's a good reason to quit. If you`are a former smoker let your doctor know if you have any trouble breathing. Are you exposed to environmental toxins? That includes industrial chemical fumes and dust, air pollution and second hand smoke. All of those pollutants can irritate your lungs and maybe a chance of getting COPD.

The COPD run in your family, if so, you may have an inherited condition called Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency that can raise your risk for COPD. I'm Dr. Miller, for more ways to safeguard your health watch all our smart tips.