World Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Day
Every year on November 17, World Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Day, established by the Global Initiative to Fight COPD, is held around the world.
According to WHO estimates, more than 250 million people currently suffer from this disease.
According to forecasts, by 2030, COPD will become the third leading cause of death worldwide.
According to various estimates, at least 4% of the population suffers from COPD in Ukraine, and about 2% of Ukrainian deaths are caused by this disease.
The main risk factors for the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are:
☛ smoking tobacco,
☛ indoor and outdoor air pollution,
☛ exposure to dust and chemicals at workplaces,
☛ the influence of mold.
Symptoms of COPD:
☛ chronic cough, periodic or daily, which often lasts throughout the day, rarely - exclusively at night;
☛ constant expectoration of sputum, especially after waking up;
☛ shortness of breath, mostly daily, initially associated with physical exertion, worsens over time, eventually occurs at rest.
Comorbidities in COPD (including bronchiectasis, arterial hypertension, coronary heart disease, heart rhythm disorders, stroke, diabetes, and anxiety-depressive disorders) affect the clinical condition and worsen the prognosis. The risk of lung cancer is increased.
Complications of COPD:
pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular heart failure,
secondary erythrocytosis,
anemia,
exacerbation of chronic diseases,
cachexia,
depression and
phobias
Exacerbations of COPD increase the risk of death.
The main causes of death are diseases of the circulatory system, lung cancer and respiratory failure.
The most vulnerable to this disease all over the world are heavy smokers. In such patients, the disease progresses nine times faster than in non-smokers.
The risk group includes:
miners,
builders,
railwaymen,
employees of metallurgical, cement, chemical, and pulp and paper enterprises (constant relationship with processing of grain, cotton, paper, or production of tiles, bricks, and cement, adverse environmental situation — air pollution by production waste, exhaust gases, smoke, and dust),
individuals who had frequent lower respiratory tract infections in childhood.
It is impossible to completely cure COPD. Medicines can relieve symptoms, improve exercise capacity and quality of life, and reduce the risk of death.
The most effective and cost-effective treatment for COPD in smokers is smoking cessation.
Timely diagnosis and treatment make it possible to slow down the development of the disease.
Recommended at all stages of COPD
complex rehabilitation programs that include breathing exercises,
strengthening physical exercises,
treatment of tobacco addiction,
psychological support and psychosocial measures,
Healthy Eating.
It is impossible to completely cure COPD, but to prevent this disease:
☛ give up smoking,
☛ do not come into contact with polluted air,
☛ get vaccinated against influenza, COVID-19 and pneumococcal infection (especially after the age of 65 and in the presence of severe concomitant pathologies, for example, heart diseases) and
☛ follow a healthy lifestyle.
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