Narrower airways could increase your risk of COPD

Lisa Vogel studied departmental journalism with a focus on medicine and biosciences at Ansbach University and deepened her journalistic knowledge in the master's degree in multimedia information and communication. This was followed by a traineeship in the editorial team. Since September 2020 she has been writing as a freelance journalist for

More posts by Lisa Vogel All content is checked by medical journalists.

Smoking and increasing age are factors that can promote COPD. According to experts, however, an anatomical cause can also be considered.

Smoking is considered to be the main cause of the lung disease COPD. Nevertheless, many non-smokers also get it. In comparison, a possible explanation could be significantly narrower airways in those affected. This is reported by the German Lung Foundation with reference to current study results.

Narrow airways are more likely to impede airflow

In the investigations, the bronchial ramifications were measured and related to the total lung volume - the smaller this ratio, the narrower the airways are. According to the experts, the airflow can be obstructed by narrowing the airways. The more likely it is that COPD will develop. Especially when there is a pollutant effect - from smoking, for example.

Poor lung function, higher risk?

In women, the bronchial system is usually narrower than in men - the technical term is dysanapsis. According to the Lung Foundation, women are more likely to develop chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with comparable tobacco consumption, which is often associated with severe coughing and shortness of breath.

Even younger people who have poor lung function in childhood compared to their peers sometimes have dysanapsis. You shouldn't smoke, advises the German Lung Foundation. In addition, they can improve their lung function in general with special lung sports or physical activity.

COPD: cough, sputum, shortness of breath

COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is a chronically progressive disease of the lungs. It is characterized by inflamed and permanently narrowed airways. Typical COPD symptoms are coughing with phlegm and shortness of breath when exercising, later also at rest.

COPD is widespread: In Germany, around ten percent, or eight million people, suffer from it. Experts predict that this number will rise to ten million by 2020. COPD is one of the most common causes of death. (lv / dpa)

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