Emphysema

Most people who are at risk for getting COPD have never even heard of it and, in many cases, don't even realize that the condition has a name. Some of the things that put you at risk for COPD include:

Yearly flu shots are recommended for seniors (paid for by US Medicare), healthcare workers, and people with chronic lung diseases. However, there are those for whom it is not recommended: people who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs or who have had a severe reaction to a flu shot in the past; children less than 6 months old; people who have a moderate or severe illness with a fever. (They should wait until their symptoms lessen before they get the flu shot.)

According to American Lung Association, "Years of exposure to the irritation of cigarette smoke usually precede the development of emphysema."
""

"Alpha1 antitrypsin deficiency-related (AAT) emphysema is caused by the inherited deficiency of a protein called alpha1-antitrypsin (AAT) or alpha1-protease inhibitor. AAT, produced by the liver, is a "lung protector." In the absence of AAT, emphysema is almost inevitable. It is responsible for 5% or less of the emphysema in the United States. People can also carry a single deficient gene that causes Alpha-1 and may pass the gene onto their children."

Editor's Note:

"Race" is sometimes mentioned as a risk factor in the development of certain cancers and a number of other diseases. When you read this in a discussion about an illness, note that the explanation seldom refers to anything biological. Instead, it usually refers to behavior, such as eating habits. The kinds of behavior usually mentioned as risk factors are culturally determined. They are not genetic or biological.

US FDA last year allowed some tomato products to carry highly-qualified labeling claims linking tomato products with reduced incidence of prostate cancer. Research team studies mechanisms of nutrients in human disease and lifestyle. Feeding tomato juice to mice kept them from developing emphysema after cigarette smoke exposure that was long enough to induce emphysema in a control group, Japanese researchers report in February issue of the American Journal of Physiology-Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology.