COPD - know about your disease (FOR PATIENT EDUCATION PURPOSE)

                    

 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.

·         Worldwide, one in 10 adults over the age of 40 may have COPD.  Currently COPD is the 4^th leading cause of death worldwide surpassed only by heart attack, stroke, and acute lung infections, but threatens to be the 3^rd leading cause of death by 2030 according to World Health Organisation.

·         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.

·         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.

·         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.

·         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.