I thought only smokers can get COPD. I have never smoked tobacco but my doctor told me I have Alpha-1 COPD. How is this different from regular COPD? Does this mean my children may get this form of COPD too?

One of the causes of COPD in non-smoker's is Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency, which is genetically inherited. COPD due to alpha1 antitrypsin generally develops early in life. This type of COPD can be passed on to children also, especially if the spouse is a carrier of the gene. Therefore, if one has COPD, the spouse and children should be tested for this gene.