J.H.

Yes, there are people who never smoked who get copd: People exposed to chemicals and pollution and those with a genetic type of emphysema.

The genetic type of emphysema results from alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. The treatment for "alpha 1" emphysema is different and it is very expensive. Many people with this deficiency have never smoked.

Yes-some people who never smoked can get COPD.
Alpha 1- Antitrypsin Deficiency is a genetic condition that results in COPD. People with this condition usually get COPD at a much younger age than smokers. I was tested for it, but was negative.
Recent research also shows that there seems to be a connection between severe asthma and emphysema. Severe uncontrolled asthma where the lungs are constantly inflammed can cause "airway remodeling". it's not really emphysema in a strict sense, but it looks like emphysema on xrays and the symptoms are the same.-My lung doctor thought that might be partially the case my my lungs because I had severe asthma for many years and I only received a rescue spray and no steroid spray for almost 30 years. Also , not one single lung function test during this time. This constant inflammation eventually ruins the lungs and lung function is then not reversible anymore.-I have also read that asthmatic are 17 times at likely to get emphysema than non asthmatics, especially if they smoke.

2 pks/day for 55+years. Quit 5.5 yrs ago. But, the major damage had been done before I quit. One lung completely destroyed, and the other not far behind. But I'm holding my own day by day. Sometimes just minute by minute. Severe end stage. Jim

Well, we're glad to be getting to know you, Jim.
Consider your time in here a parting gift.

40 years 2-3 packs a day

j.h= my older sister got this having never smoked a day in her life. (and my parents didn't smoke)
due to that they tested me for the alpha-1 gene, but no i do not have "the gene"

environment plays a roll in this also and even though we grew up in small town with no smog, there were dust storms & government testing that may have been done in the area---who knows.

no "parting gift" for me JH. I plan on being around for quite some time! Which brings me to your "parting gift" statement ........ I found it to be cold and disheartening! The "parting gift" is yours, as I have chosen to ignore all of your posts! Jim Have a nice life!

I smoked for 35 years and the average was about 2 packs a day. I come from a time when the neighborhood bar was a popular activity and when I spent time there I smoked about 4 packs a day and I spent a lot of time there. I quit drinking long before I quit smoking but still there was a lot of smoke inhaled.

Terry

j.h., I will agree with Jim on this one, that the remark "parting gift" was rude and out of place, my opinion. Every member of this group are a gift to each other and their families, but no one is planning on parting any time soon. I am sure this was just a off beat remark, anyway, I hope so.
BJ

And back to the topic. I remember being about 15 when I started smoking. My older sister introduced me to cigs!! Our younger sister has not ever smoked. Anyway, that was about 50 something years ago, and how many I smoked depended on what I was doing, partying, woking, or at home, but a guesstimate would be 1-2 packs a day.
BJ

1 -2 packs a day for just over 40 years. Maybe worse than that during a 5 year period with the worst most stressful job I ever had. Even the military wasn't that stressful.

Also a lot of years in maintenance and construction around chemicals and other bad stuff. Sure it all took a toll.

Best wishes to all...

Curt

jh I doubt you meant to come across as cold but it did kinda sound like you did not think your response through very well. =)

Smoked for 41 years started when I was 16 years old. Quit 4 months ago, If I hadn't been diagnosed with emphysema would still be smoking today. But glad that I finally quit.

I smoked for 46 years 40-50 cigarettes a day,started at 15 years old.
I quit 109 days ago.
In Canada our packs have 25 cigs per pack, in my teens I often smoked 2 packs when I went out.
Jazz

45 years l to 2 packs per day. I quit on June 6th.