Heard of COPD? It is time to be warned against it, as COPD or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is expected to become the third leading cause of death worldwide by 2030, as per World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates.
Already, 4 to 8 per cent of all people aged over 40 are expected to have COPD. But it is largely undiagnosed, until irreparable damage has already been done. In fact, doctors estimate that over 25 per cent of people with clinically significant COPD are unaware that they have the disease.
PERMANENT DAMAGE
COPD is a condition in which the lungs get permanently damaged and the airways narrowed down and clogged with mucus, making it difficult for people to breathe, eventually leading to respiratory failure and death, if there is no timely medical intervention. It is a condition different from asthma, but often confused with asthma because of superficial similarities.
While active smoking is the main cause of COPD, passive smokers, and people exposed to smoke and fumes from vehicles, industry and the burning of biomass fuel are also susceptible. “Now, researchers are of the opinion that even third-hand smoke — tobacco smoke in the room, even after the smoker has finished the cigarette and left the room, can be dangerous,” suggests Dr. S. Gayathri, consultant pulmonologist. The ban on smoking scenes in films, smoking in public places, and sale of tobacco products near schools and colleges has helped check smoking and environmental tobacco smoke (ETS). “Most of us are conditioned by the environment we live in. It does make a difference”, says Dr. Raj B. Singh, director, Chest Foundation of India and head, Respiratory Medicine, Apollo Hospitals. But while people associate smoking and ETS with the risk of cancer, it is still not associated with the risk it poses for COPD.
UNRECOGNISED
A persistent cough with phlegm? Coughing that increases with seasonal changes? Shortness of breath that becomes worse even with mild activity? A sense of tightness in the chest? Wheezing? Fatigue? Do you come down with respiratory infections repeatedly? Well, any one of these, or all of them could be symptoms of COPD.
Unfortunately, people don't think of medical intervention when they encounter these symptoms. “They dismiss them as smoker's cough that has to be lived with, or imagine that aging has made breathing more difficult for them,” says Dr. Madhu. What they don't realise is, all along, irreversible damage is being done to their lungs. And worse, the damage is progressive, meaning that once initiated, the damage continues. The symptoms of COPD develop slowly, which makes it difficult to recognise. Physicians test for COPD by spirometry, a simple lung function test that involves blowing out as hard as possible into a small machine.
COPD is a morbid condition that can impede even day-to-day activities such as conversation, climbing stairs or cooking. “COPD can lead to complications such as blood pressure, right heart failure because of reduced oxygen supply, arrhythmia or irregular heartbeat, chronic lung diseases, pneumonia, wasting of muscles and osteoporosis (thinning of the bones) due to use of ineffective steroids and the inactivity forced upon the person with COPD,” informs Dr. Singh.
COPD has no cure. But some relief from the symptoms and progressive deterioration of the lungs is possible. The foremost thing is to quit smoking, at least now. “This slows down the lung damage,” says Dr. Madhu. It is also crucial to avoid very cold air, ETS, polluted air, fumes and dust. Use of inhalers to open the airways and medication to reduce lung inflammation as prescribed by a pulmonologist will help. Pulmonary rehabilitation in the form of breathing exercises can help increase lung capacity. Regular, mild exercise as directed by the physician and a healthy diet will help combat complications. Surgery may be an option in some cases. In case of acute breathlessness, seek emergency medical help immediately.
Symptoms of COPD
* A persistent cough with phlegm
* Coughing that increases with seasonal changes
* Shortness of breath that may become worse even with mild activity
* A sense of tightness in the chest
* Wheezing
* Fatigue
* Repeated respiratory infections
http://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/metroplus/article2783040.ece
