I’ve been told I’m at high risk of a genetic form of COPD. What does this mean?
Most cases of COPD result from the damage caused by smoking, or environmental pollution. However there is a very rare genetic disorder called alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. Alpha-1 antitrypsin is a small protein found in the body, which stops enzymes such as trypsin from doing damage to the body. If you are short of alpha-1 antitrypsin, the trypsin in your body will, over time, do damage to your lungs, and this damage can result in COPD.
