Why do some people develop emphysema when they smoke and some do not? Is it genetic? Is it amount of cigarettes? Is it how long they've smoked?
2006-09-25 11:57:25 · 8 answers · asked by missskirts 2 in Health ➔ Other - Health
My father-in-law got it because he smoked a lot, stayed out all night, drank a lot of alcohol, worked like a dog in a kitchen (chef) all day, and never exercised. He started smoking as a child of 10 because he was orphaned at 8 so he had no parents to guide him. As a result, basically he did everything wrong. The only reason he lived till age 74 is by the grace of God and because my mother-in-law kept giving him herbs and natural remedies along with his regular medication and it really helped. I don't think it's genetic, but I'm not sure.
2006-09-25 12:10:19 · answer #1 · answered by Mary* 5 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Emphysema is the walls between the air sacs in the lungs losing their ability to stretch and recoil.. much like some people get wrinkles from lost elasticity in skin and others do not. This causes obstructed airways.. (:()
The previous poster was incorrect stating it's not genetic....
Actually.. 100,000 + americans were born with a deficiency of a lung protector protein called AAT or alpha 1-antitrypsin.. OR.. 25 million parents carry a single deficient gene that could be passed on to their children.. So inherited emphysema is called alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency... But of course smoking greatly increases the chances in all cases..
It's a looooooooooonnnngggg gradual process.. And just the risk factors and how much and how frequent you smoke and other things are reasons why it shows up in some people then in others... I mean.. Lets say you smoke 40 years.. and you die when you're 65... Doesn't mean you weren't already working on emphysema.. it just hadn't caused you much difficulty yet...
Hope that answers your question.. ;)
2006-09-25 12:07:30 · answer #2 · answered by SassySista 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Not all emphysema cases are caused by smoking , Most cases are from working in a factory where there are lots of dust particles , It's not genetic in any form it's something that develops over time..Pediatrics nurse/ neonatal intensive care unit nurse for 14 years
2006-09-25 12:09:25 · answer #3 · answered by «~Mouse«~~ 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
most of the time its because they smoke. i doubt its genetics but it could happen in very rare cases. those who do not smoke and get emphysema have probably inhaled alot of second hand smoke from being around others.
2006-09-25 12:01:12 · answer #4 · answered by r.d 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
well second hand smoke dose come in to play for some people......my grandma was a waitress for 20 year's,she never smoked a day in her life, but she has it. : [
2006-09-25 12:01:02 · answer #5 · answered by anyways_fukitol 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Its usually cuz they were a smoker, or they were always around someone that smoked. For too long.
2006-09-25 12:01:43 · answer #6 · answered by ~~ 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
smoking
2006-09-25 11:59:45 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
smoking period , 2nd hand smoke , no it is not genetic
2006-09-25 12:00:13 · answer #8 · answered by ridingthestorm_out 4 · 2⤊ 2⤋