Does having Allergies cause COPD?
Q: Does having Allergies cause Copd?
Answers (2)
4/20/09 4:32pm
The leading cause of COPD is smoking. Allergies do not cause COPD.
If you have questions about COPD, visit our COPD site and learn more about what the causes of COPD and treatment for COPD.
1/10/12 1:32pm
Hi There,
Wanted to clarify. . COPD is caused primarily by smoking, however other airway irritants can also cause it, like air pollution, workplace exposure to chemicals, and secondhand smoke. There is also a genetic link with Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency. However, allergies do not cause COPD. They may trigger a flare-up of symptoms, but, they are not among the pathophysiological causes. Hope that helps.
Deborah Leader RN, BSN, PHN
1/24/12 12:38am
Copd has had variable changes. I've had 14 percent asthma component last year, 28 percent the following year. I've even been diagnosed with mild copd lately but a month ago severe on pulmonary function. It changes and I've had irritations burn my bronchial airway from carpets or pets giving a full copd flair up because asthma irritates the airways so that the copd can act up. Allergies have an indirect yet profound impact on my copd.
2/ 3/12 11:41pm
Living with COPD has been non stop hell, gaspiong for every breath I take. After taking all the prescripted drugs, inhalers, oxygen, and on, I decided to try the cheap Walitin and the Allegra D. One has fexofenadine, the other, loratadine. They both have pseudoephedrine. Remembering I grew up as a child with a lot od allergies, I decided to give these two products a try. By the way, you have to play the driver's license game with the pharmacist. I'm here to tell you my condition immediately improved 500% within 10 minutes of taking the walitin! I don't think the doctors are looking close enough at this inexpensive method to relieve symptoms. Give it a try. It might help you too.
11/23/09 11:27am
Allergies can contribute to the development and symptoms of COPD, but are typically not the only causative factor. Patients with allergic asthma have a 14x greater probability of developing COPD later in life and COPD and Asthma can coexist. COPD is diagnosed due to irreversibility and the type of inflammation (neutrophilic-smoking/corticosteroids) vs allergic Asthma, which is usually reversible and is a different type of inflammation (eosinophilic-allergic). A theory that is gaining some traction based on the fact that corticosteroids reduce eosinophilic/allergic inflammation but increase neutrophilic/irreversible inflammation. Is it the allergies, asthma or the meds?
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The leading cause of COPD is smoking (may be) the primary cause, however, the statement that allergies do not cause COPD is not only false but very nieve, who ever wrote this statement needs to re-educate themselves!!