Chennai: The month of November is observed as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Awareness Month. Patients with COPD are highly susceptible from respiratory infections So, when the COVID pandemic took us by storm, people suffering from COPD were said to be more at risk. Considering this, there is never a better time to focus on our lung health. People tend to ignore their lungs or give less importance compared to other health aspects. COPD is a long-term condition where the airways of the lungs get narrowed and the air is trapped in the lungs causing difficulty in breathing out. It is mainly characterized by constant and progressive breathlessness, cough, sputum production, and wheezing.
Latest data from WHO says that COPD is the third leading cause of death worldwide. As per Indus Health Plus genetic data report, 23% males and 25% females have increased risk of COPD.
Cause of COPD
Long-term exposure to irritants that damage the lungs and airways can cause COPD. Irritants can be secondhand smoke, air pollution, and chemical fumes or dust from the environment, workplace, or industries. The main cause of COPD is smoking. The rising incidence of COPD is because of poor air quality in metro cities.
Symptoms at various stages
The symptoms of COPD in early stages can be mistaken with cold or flu which includes:
In the later stage of COPD, one might start avoiding stairs and physical activities. It worsens with time and becomes hard to ignore with experiences that might include:
It is likely to get worse if one continues to smoke or is regularly exposed to secondhand smoke.
For COPD, below-mentioned screenings are suggested:
To avoid the risk of getting COPD, here are some tips to follow
There are treatments available to help you live better with chronic bronchitis. It can be possible through lifestyle changes, exercise, and medication.
The article has been contributed by Mr. Amol Naikawadi, Preventive Healthcare Specialist, Indus Health Plus
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