Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affects
many people worldwide. COPD is a disease of the lung, that blocks the airways,
causing difficulty in breathing. COPD is usually caused by smoking but it may
also occur after exposure to fumes, chemicals, smoke from wood or other biomass
fuel used for cooking and heating or working in very dusty places for prolonged
periods. Apart from direct smoking, passive smoking may also lead to COPD. Apart
from Chula smoke (biomass fuel) other form of smoking like bidi, hukka, cigar
etc are equally harmful and can cause COPD.
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Worldwide,
one in 10 adults over the age of 40 may have COPD. Currently COPD is the 4th leading cause of death worldwide surpassed only by heart attack, stroke, and acute
lung infections, but threatens to be the 3rd leading cause of death by 2030
according to World Health Organisation.
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Around 3 million
people die from COPD every year worldwide. It kills
more people than cancer, and as many people as HIV/AIDS. Around 90% COPD
death occur in low and middle income countries.
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The burden of COPD
includes both direct costs and indirect costs. Direct costs are due of
medication, hospitalization, and other health care for people with COPD, while
indirect costs relate to people who miss work because they are sick, or because
they must care for relatives with COPD.
Patients usually have a history of exposure to risk
factors for the disease and are older than 40 years. Patients usually have
symptoms like persistent cough, expectoration of
phlegm or mucus while coughing, getting out of breath while doing physical
activity, like walking up a flight of stairs, walking the dog, shopping, during
washing and dressing. Symptoms are similar to asthma and COPD is
sometimes confused with asthma. However both diseases are different.
The
best way to find out if a person has COPD is to do a lung function test called
spirometry. COPD obstructs and slows the flow of air into and out of the
lungs. Spirometry is a simple, painless
test that is done at a clinic or doctor’s office. It measures the amount of air
a person can breathe out, and the amount of time taken to do so. As COPD
progresses, spirometry values decline.
COPD is
a disease of the lung, although it affects other organs as well. Once a person
is diagnosed to have COPD there are many things to do in order to reduce
symptoms, prevent exacerbation and decelerate progression of the disease.
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Stop smoking. If a person has COPD and continues to smoke, lungs will get worse and
the disease will be fatal. In case of a smoker who has COPD, the only way to
stop COPD from getting worse is to quit smoking. In case of smokers who has not
yet develop COPD, the best way to prevent the disease from developing is to
quit smoking. Smoking cessation is the only and most effective measure to
prevent further progression of the disease. If needed patients should request
help from competent health authorities to quit smoking. There should be a
strong commitment to quit smoking. This can be done through counseling,
nicotine replacement therapy or other medications, avoidance of company of
smokers etc.
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There are certain
medications a patient needs to take regularly. Most medicines are given via
inhaler, which are effective with fewer side effects. Inhalers
are the best and safest method of drug delivery for all types of patients.
But there are several wrong perceptions among general public and even among
some physicians that inhalers are given at later stages of the disease and is
habit forming. This misconception leads to discontinuation and lesser use of
inhaled medication which in turn leads to rapid decline of the underlying
disease. Apart from inhaled medication patient sometimes also needs some oral
drugs.
The
symptoms of COPD may change over time. In case of worsened symptoms the patient
should inform his/her doctor immediately. Patients can help prevent
exacerbations and maintain lung health through simple steps like-
- Preventing respiratory infections by pneumococcal vaccination and yearly flu vaccinations. Washing hands frequently, using hand sanitizer, and practicing good hygiene to reduce chance of catching a respiratory infection.
- Patient should stop smoking and stay away from secondhand smoke.
- Take medicines according to the doctor’s instructions. Patient should understand how to use his/her inhaler. Compliance to medication prevents rapid decline in patient’s health conditions.
- If a patient has exacerbations, he or she should get treatment immediately to help minimize its effects.
COPD
is a disease primarily involving the lungs. However COPD in the long run can lead to other health
conditions like cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, osteoporosis
obesity/weight loss, diabetes etc. Pulmonary rehabilitation is recommended for
patients of COPD. Rehabilitation training helps to reduce symptoms and improve
other health conditions at the same time. Participation in a rehabilitation
program, maintaining a healthy weight and smoking cessation will help patients
to have a healthy heart, strong bones ,a great body and not to forget………… healthy
lungs as well!
World COPD Day 2013 will take place on Wednesday,
November 20 around the theme “It’s Not Too Late.” This positive message was
chosen to emphasize the meaningful actions people can take to improve their
respiratory health, at any stage before or after a COPD diagnosis.
