COPD & Emphysema Support Group
COPD is a progressive disease characterized by airflow obstruction or limitation. Emphysema is characterized by loss of elasticity of the lung tissue, destruction of structures supporting the alveoli and of capillaries feeding the alveoli. Both have symptoms that include shortness of breath, among other respiratory troubles. If you are a COPD or Emphysema sufferer, join...
Is it possible to have COPD as a young child?
Personally, I don't know what the medical establishment would say, but I believe it is very possible, and the child doesn't have to be a smoker, just exposed to 2nd hand smoke on a daily basis is enough to cause COPD. Plus, in some cases there is a genetic factor.
Here is the basis of my statement:
I am the oldest of seven children, 5 of us still slive. Both parents were heavy smokers before any of us were born. Even while pregnant, mom kept on puffing away, so, before birth, all seven of us (I had a twin stillborn), were already addicted to nicotene! So, living in a household where the parents were heavy smokers, their friends who visited were heavy smokers, aunts, uncles, grandparents, etal, what chance did we kids have? NONE! We were predestined to become smokers ourselves, which happened! The facts today" One younger brother died of a lung/cigarette problem about fifteen years ago. Dad quit smoking about forty years ago. He's still alive today. Age 92 and you wouldn't know it! Mom died of lung cancer twenty three years ago. The brother next to me in age (65) was just dx'd with lung cancer about three months ago. The 3rd brother, living in Fla quit smoking while a US Marine in Vietnam over fifty years ago. No lung problems, The youngest sister, who lives in Puerto Rico quit smoking when she became pregnant for the 1st time, over thirty years ago. No apparent lung issues with her. That leaves me (68) and a younger sister (63). We both have been dx'd with emphysema. We have both been tested for the gene predisposition, and both of us are negative. She is stage 3, I am at end stage! I smoked for 50 plus years. I was finally able to permanently quit in 2008. But it was far too late for me. My right lung has been completely damaged. Just an empty blackened sack. It fills with the air I inhale, and the same air is exhaled. My left lung is not fsr behind as far as damage is concerned. I do have a lot of spunk and fight left in me, even though I can't help but huff and puff if I dared to walk across a room without my supplemental O2 cannula on!
So, today, I say to all those who still choose to smoke: "Think of your little ones around when you light up. Or anyone who has never smoked. By lighting that cigarette you are exposing them to over 1000 chemicals, most of which are known carcinogens. Why are you being so selfish and ignorant by "feeding" your addiction. You are thinking of no one but yourself! Then I end it with: "So, ya wanna smoke huh? I'll meetcha on the other side one day!"
I'm now off of my soapbox, for now!
Jim Evridge
It is possible to have the genetic Alpha Tripsin 1 (not sure I spelled it right)... and what Jim said really makes sense....
Jim, thanks for your story. I am 52....I grew up with my mom and older brother being heavy smokers. I was born 2 months premature. I remember having numerous colds and illensses that my mom always called the croup. I started smoking at age 18. I had some other health problems that probably contributed to never feeling well, but I was never able to run or do anything even as a kid without being out of breath and never enjoyed sports. I was actually diagnosed with COPD at age 36 but just in passing by a PA and it was never explained to me. I continued to have numerous sinus and bronchitis infections.
I was diagnosed in January 2009 with emphysema. In Oct. of 2010 a pulmonologist told me it was severe, and he said I was very young to have it this bad even though I had smoked. I have been tested twice for alpha one and it has been negative both times. I quit smoking May 13, 2009 and have been smoke free. I admit and am ashamed that I exposed my son to second hand smoke for 13 years of his life. He vows that he will not smoke. I should add my paternal grandfather died of lung cancer and emphysema when I was 13 but I never understood what emphysema was. I have a maternal uncle who died of emphysema at age 80....
Sorry for the ramblings, but I do believe COPD may run in families and can start as a child. I'm glad there are no smoking campaigns and greater awareness today.
According to what I've read, it is highly unlikely for a young child to exhibit symptoms of COPD.
Even with AiAT (AAT) deficiency, damage apparently doesn't show up until the 30's: http://copd.about.com/od/emphysema/a/AAT.htm
Children with asthma are more at risk of COPD: http://www.webmd.com/asthma/news/20100517/childhood-asthma-linked-to-risk-of-copd
Genetics will eventually play a bigger part in COPD diagnosis: http://respiratory-research.com/content/2/1/20/
Aging also reduces the average lung capacity about 1% per year after 30 or so: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2695176/
So the big risk to children (with the effects showing up later in life) is long term exposure to pollutants such as smoking, city smog and dust such as we have in the desert. Children with asthma naturally have a added susceptability to such things.
Take care,
Dennis