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Is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Hereditary?
Question: I am wondering if a family history of 5 people in the last 3 generations having emphysema/copd is significant. My grandmother, her sister(my great aunt), my aunt, my cousin, my dad. Two died of copd.
I am 50. A few years ago, I noticed a small wheezing sound. Lately I become out of breath with exercise, with coughing and mucus, more so than ever before. Its like the exercise is hurting my lungs.
I am 50. A few years ago, I noticed a small wheezing sound. Lately I become out of breath with exercise, with coughing and mucus, more so than ever before. Its like the exercise is hurting my lungs.
Brief Answer:
Emphysema/COPD family history
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for contacting HCM
I am sorry to hear that your family has had a history of COPD/Emphysema. Most cases of emphysema and COPD are related to tobacco abuse. If your family members smoked then that is the cause of their condition and not at all family inherited.
If your family has a history of asthma then that can be family inherited. Asthma is a condition where the lungs are hypersensitive to allergies or outside irritants like smoke and smog. It is very important to keep control of asthma symptoms as with out of control asthma will cause lung damage and eventually emphysema.
From your description it sounds like you are also beginning to have wheezing and asthma. I recommend you seek medication attention and get early treatment. Doctors have several medication to help control asthma and also emphysema.
If you smoke I recommend you stop smoking.
Replace your furnace air filter every 1-3 months.
Clean the air vents
Reduce exposure to cats and dogs.
Continue to exercise as this helps improve lung function.
Hope this answers your question. Please contact us again for your medical questions and concerns
Emphysema/COPD family history
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for contacting HCM
I am sorry to hear that your family has had a history of COPD/Emphysema. Most cases of emphysema and COPD are related to tobacco abuse. If your family members smoked then that is the cause of their condition and not at all family inherited.
If your family has a history of asthma then that can be family inherited. Asthma is a condition where the lungs are hypersensitive to allergies or outside irritants like smoke and smog. It is very important to keep control of asthma symptoms as with out of control asthma will cause lung damage and eventually emphysema.
From your description it sounds like you are also beginning to have wheezing and asthma. I recommend you seek medication attention and get early treatment. Doctors have several medication to help control asthma and also emphysema.
If you smoke I recommend you stop smoking.
Replace your furnace air filter every 1-3 months.
Clean the air vents
Reduce exposure to cats and dogs.
Continue to exercise as this helps improve lung function.
Hope this answers your question. Please contact us again for your medical questions and concerns
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Thank you for your reply.
The only history of smoking in my family is my dad. I have never smoked. The people in my family that died of copd never smoked either.
There is no history of asthma in my family. My adopted son has asthma, and his symptoms aren't like mine at all. My shortness of breath is more extreem, i gasp for air. I've never seen my son be like that, even before he was diagnosed.
After I catch my breath is when most of the coughing and mucus happen.
The only history of smoking in my family is my dad. I have never smoked. The people in my family that died of copd never smoked either.
There is no history of asthma in my family. My adopted son has asthma, and his symptoms aren't like mine at all. My shortness of breath is more extreem, i gasp for air. I've never seen my son be like that, even before he was diagnosed.
After I catch my breath is when most of the coughing and mucus happen.
Brief Answer:
COPD
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for contacting HCM
Since there is no history of smoking then your family may have a condition in which there is a deficiency of alpha 1 antitrypsin. This is an enzyme in the lungs that help keeps the lungs healthy. It prevents inflammation in the lungs. To test for alpha 1 antitrypsin (AAT) you need blood work to measure the levels in your blood. You will also need chest x rays and liver tests.
The treatment includes doing pulmonary rehabilitation, medications for COPD like symbicort or advair. There also injections of synthetic AAT that can help prevent further damage to the lungs.
I recommend that you see your doctors and have them start testing and treating you before things get any worse.
Hope this answers your question. Please contact us again with your medical concerns and questions
COPD
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for contacting HCM
Since there is no history of smoking then your family may have a condition in which there is a deficiency of alpha 1 antitrypsin. This is an enzyme in the lungs that help keeps the lungs healthy. It prevents inflammation in the lungs. To test for alpha 1 antitrypsin (AAT) you need blood work to measure the levels in your blood. You will also need chest x rays and liver tests.
The treatment includes doing pulmonary rehabilitation, medications for COPD like symbicort or advair. There also injections of synthetic AAT that can help prevent further damage to the lungs.
I recommend that you see your doctors and have them start testing and treating you before things get any worse.
Hope this answers your question. Please contact us again with your medical concerns and questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Answered by
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