{"id":17991,"date":"2021-02-06T13:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-02-06T18:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=17991"},"modified":"2025-10-06T14:11:49","modified_gmt":"2025-10-06T18:11:49","slug":"emphysema-vs-copd","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/emphysema-vs-copd\/","title":{"rendered":"Emphysema vs. COPD: What stage of COPD is emphysema?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Emphysema vs. COPD causes<\/a> | Prevalence<\/a> | Symptoms<\/a> | Diagnosis<\/a> | Treatments<\/a> | Risk factors<\/a> | Prevention<\/a> | When to see a doctor<\/a> | FAQs<\/a> | Resources<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Lung disease is a prevalent problem in America today. Emphysema is a type of COPD that causes damage to the alveoli or the tiny air sacs in the lungs. COPD stands for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and is a lung disease that can limit airflow from the lungs, causing trouble breathing. COPD encompasses various conditions, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Read on for an overview of emphysema and COPD, including their causes, prevalence, symptoms, risk factors, treatment options, and more.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Causes<\/span><\/h2>\n

What causes Emphysema<\/span><\/h3>\n

Emphysema is generally caused by long-term exposure to airborne irritants, such as tobacco or marijuana smoke, air pollution, chemical fumes, and dust. In addition, genetic factors such as <\/span>alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency<\/span><\/a> may cause emphysema. While smoking is the most common risk factor, the disease can still develop in non-smokers due to factors like secondhand smoke exposure, air pollution, occupational exposure, or genetics.<\/span><\/p>\n

What causes COPD<\/span><\/h3>\n

COPD is mostly caused by long-term exposure to lung irritants, with tobacco smoke being the biggest offender. Both people who smoke and those around smokers can develop COPD due to this harmful smoke. Environmental factors, like pollution, workplace dust, fumes, and certain chemicals, can also cause COPD by irritating and damaging the lungs over time. Some people are genetically more likely to get COPD due to a condition called alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency, which affects the body’s ability to protect the lungs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Emphysema vs. COPD causes<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

Emphysema<\/b><\/td>\nCOPD<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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    \n
  • Smoking and secondhand smoke<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Air pollution<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Chemical fumes<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Dust<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
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