World COPD Day: November 16th, 2017

Passive Smokers are Equally at Risk for COPD

​Presently, 64 million people have COPD and 3 million people died of COPD. WHO predicts that COPD will become the third leading cause of death worldwide by 2030. World COPD Day aims to raise awareness about the disease and improve COPD care throughout the world. The theme for 2017 is ‘The Many Faces of COPD’ which aims to propagate the intensity of the disease, the threat it poses to the world and efforts needed to curb it.

COPD: An Introduction
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is not one disease but a set of chronic lung diseases that cause limitations in lung airflow. Commonly called as a ‘smoker’s cough’, it cannot be restricted just to the section of smokers, but is an underdiagnosed, life threatening lung disease that can result in death.

Smoking tobacco (including second-hand or passive exposure), indoor air pollution (use of biomass fuel for cooking and heating), outdoor air pollution and dusts and chemicals at workplace are the main risk factors for the disease. Common symptoms of the disease include breathlessness, increased ‘sputum’ production and chronic cough.

Earlier, COPD was commonly present among the male population. But, due to increased tobacco use among women and the exposure to biomass fuels, the disease is equally present among both the sexes.

Managing the Disease
Managing COPD effectively includes:

1. Relieving symptoms
2. Slowing disease progress
3. Enhancing exercise tolerance and the ability to stay active
4. Treating and preventing complications
5. Improving overall health
6. Reducing mortality rates
   
   

Treatment options include:

1. Quitting smoking. You can join self-help groups or seek the advice of a professional to help you stop smoking. Read more on quitting smoking and withdrawal effects of nicotine at www.firsteatright.com.
2. Bronchodilators to treat shortness of breath
3. Antibiotics to treat flare-ups due to infections
4. Supplemental oxygen to boost oxygen levels
5. Flu and pneumonia vaccines to prevent infections that cause flare-ups
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Physical rehabilitation is an essential part of the treatment process. It includes physical activity, good nutrition, awareness about the patient’s condition, energy conserving techniques, breathing strategies, psychological counselling and group support.