Medical Health Encyclopedia

Over 80% of people who die from COLD are or were smokers. The longer a person smokes, the higher the risk for emphysema. Once a smoker quits, the rate of lung function loss becomes the same as in a nonsmoker; however, much of the lung damage incurred during smoking may be irreversible. About 10% to 20% of people who smoke more than one pack a day develop significant airway obstruction, so other factors must be present.

Occupational Risk Factors

Workers exposed for a long time to toxic chemicals (such as silica or cadmium), industrial smoke, dust, or other air pollutants are at increased risk for COLD. Such workers include miners, furnace workers, grain farmers, cooks, and other food producers who work in small spaces.

Allergies and Asthma

Allergens, such as fungi, molds, and house dust, can cause changes in the lungs in some people that leads to COLD. Some experts believe that a susceptibility to allergens or asthma puts smokers at higher risk for COLD.

Dietary Factors

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Some evidence indicates that having poor nutrition, particularly deficiencies in certain nutrients (e.g., vitamins A, C, and E, potassium, magnesium, and other food chemicals) could increase the risk for impaired lung function. Such nutrients should be obtained from fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, and whole grains -- not from supplements.

Low Birth Weight

Low birth weight is associated with increased risk for COLD in later life, perhaps because poor nutrition during a fetus's development may lead to smaller, ill-functioning lungs.

Periodontal Disease

In a 2001 study, patients with periodontal disease had one and a half times the risk for COLD as those without gum disease. Experts speculate that the bacteria causing periodontal disease could theoretically travel through saliva or breath into the lungs. The bacteria in periodontal disease also cause inflammation, which may also affect the linings of the airway.