It was long thought that smoking and air pollution were the main causes of COPD, but why so many non-smokers developed the condition was a mystery. Photo: Shutterstock
Big question over cause of COPD, lung disease that’s world’s third leading cause of death, finally answered
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) often develops after decades of heavy smoking, but almost a third of sufferers have never smoked
- Researchers now believe that people with smaller than expected airways have a much higher risk of developing the condition
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It was long thought that smoking and air pollution were the main causes of COPD, but why so many non-smokers developed the condition was a mystery. Photo: Shutterstock
