COPD: Is it genetic? alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency

Posted by Merry, Volunteer Mentor @merpreb, Dec 3, 2018

This was sent to me by COPD.net via the National, heart, lung and blood Institute. I wonder if anyone has been tested for any genetic component of COPD. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/alpha-1-antitrypsin-deficiency#Causes.
There are certain precautions that people with COPD should take to protect ourselves. Unless you are allergic everyone should have had a flu shot by now. If you haven't please check with your doctor to see if there is any reason why you should not. Also pulmonary rehab is a big thing in recovering some of lung function to help you breath better. I took it and all I can say is , OH BOY! IT HELPED tremendously.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the COPD: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Support Group.

Merry, Volunteer Mentor | @merpreb | Dec 5, 2018

In reply to @joangma "not sure if hereditary or not mother died w/lung cancer" + (show)

joan- If yo u are concerned you should ask her doctor.

sakota9 (Joan) | @sakota | Dec 5, 2018

In reply to @merpreb "Thank you Colleen. I think that mine is caused by smoking. No doctor has mentioned anything..." + (show)

drs don't because they don't know much about it…. so you do the asking. I found out thru dna testing at 23and me so then I asked my pulmongolist and then they drew the blood and sent it to mayo where it came back that I was MZ People need to keep track of their health…. I read the drs notes, look at the ct scans (of which I cannot figure anything out) but when the dr points out something I know what they are talking about. So please Colleen ask every question you can think of