Question 1

my sis has bad copd and continues to smoke. what could happen to her if she doesn't quit smoking?

Accepted Answer

COPD will worsen: her quality of life will suffer and she greatly increases her chances of a heart attack and/or stroke.

Question 2

sometimes i have a barely audible wheeze. i do not cough, not breathless,22y.o., used to smoke for 5 years but i quit 8 months ago. could i have copd?

Accepted Answer

Unlikely COPD but: You should see your doctor to get a sense of where the wheeze is coming from and the cause.  COPD usually takes longer to develop and is quite rare in someone of your age.  You could have some form of irritant airway reactivity, but remember, not all wheezing come from deep in the lungs, sometimes it come from the higher up in the wind pipe or throat.  Best of luck.

Question 3

can teens that weren't directly around second hand and don't smoke personally get copd? also is it likely?

Accepted Answer

Very unlikely: although the main cause for COPD is tobacco smoke, exposure to other noxious fumes in heavily polluted areas or industries can cause the disease, unlikely in your case

Question 4

is it common to get copd at age 37?

Accepted Answer

Depends: If you have been a heavy smoker it can happen at a early age, but is seen more frequently in older individuals, quit smoking now and no second or third hand smoke exposure. Follow up with your doctor regularly and use your inhalers as directed to prevent exacerbations which hurt your lung function even more.

Question 5

does copd get worst? and do you die from it?

Accepted Answer

Possible : COPD can lead to emphysema , which in general leads to pulmonary de compensation, needing oxygen, and succeptubilty to lung infections too. Best to not smoke and treat COPD aggressively.

Question 6

is it possible to get copd if you're not a smoker?

Accepted Answer

COPD: Yes. COPD can result from second hand smoke exposure in nonsmokers, occupational exposures, and genetic abnormalities as well.

Question 7

what is a way to actually get a definitive diagnosis of copd?

Accepted Answer

Studies: To obtain a definitive diagnosis of COPD takes a combination of history, exam and test findings.  Many times an xray can be suggestive of COPD and pulmonary function/breathing tests can be confirmatory.

Question 8

if you never smoked anything, is there any chance of getting copd?

Accepted Answer

Occasionally: About 10% of COPD patients have never smoked.

Therefore it is rare.

Question 9

how could i have the beginning stage of copd when i haven't smoked for very long?

Accepted Answer

People are different: Some people can smoke for many decades with minimal lung disease while others are so severe they can die or need a lung transplant before they reach age 40. Individual responses vary.

Question 10

would all patients admitted with copd exacerbation get abgs drawn up?

Accepted Answer

They should: But I have seen numerous occasions when abgs were not obtained.

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Doctor answers about:

How long do you have to smoke to get copd

A member asked:

My sis has bad copd and continues to smoke. what could happen to her if she doesn't quit smoking?

A member asked:

Sometimes i have a barely audible wheeze. i do not cough, not breathless,22y.o., used to smoke for 5 years but i quit 8 months ago. could i have copd?

A member asked:

Can teens that weren't directly around second hand and don't smoke personally get copd? also is it likely?

A member asked:

Is it common to get copd at age 37?

A member asked:

Does copd get worst? and do you die from it?

A member asked:

Is it possible to get copd if you're not a smoker?

A member asked:

What is a way to actually get a definitive diagnosis of copd?

A member asked:

If you never smoked anything, is there any chance of getting copd?

A member asked:

How could i have the beginning stage of copd when i haven't smoked for very long?

A member asked:

Would all patients admitted with copd exacerbation get abgs drawn up?

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