Dr. Radha Munje
Professor & Head
Department of Respiratory Medicine,
Indira Gandhi Government Medical College,
Nagpur
Dr. Gyanshankar Mishra
Associate Professor
Department of Respiratory Medicine,
Indira Gandhi Government Medical College,
Nagpur
What is COPD?
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that causes airflow obstruction, mainly to air coming out of the lungs or from the lungs. Symptoms include breathlessness, cough, mucus (sputum) production, and wheezing sounds. It is typically caused by long-term exposure to irritating gases or particulate matter, most often from cigarette smoke or environmental pollution.
What is the burden of COPD?
COPD is the fourth leading cause of death, but it is projected to be the third leading cause by 2020. More than 3 million people died of COPD in 2012, accounting for 6% of all deaths globally.
COPD is a major cause of chronic mortality and morbidity throughout the world.
In India, COPD is the second leading cause of death and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). The estimated COPD prevalence in India is 37.8 million.
What are the causes of COPD?
- The main cause of COPD in developed countries is tobacco smoking. In the developing world, COPD occurs in people exposed to fumes from burning fuel for cooking and heating in poorly ventilated homes and exposure to air pollution or occupational exposure.
- Breathing second-hand smoke, Working with chemicals, dust, and fumes.
- A history of childhood respiratory infection.
- That is why keeping the environment clean is important to help combat this disease.
Can a non-smoker get COPD?
- Both people who currently do not smoke (non-smokers) and people who have never smoked (never-smokers) can also get COPD. Other risk factors besides smoking help predict COPD in never-smokers.
What are the symptoms of COPD?
Signs and symptoms of COPD commonly include:
- Shortness of breath, especially during or after physical activities,
- Wheezing, Chest tightness,
- A chronic cough that may produce mucus (sputum) that may be clear, white, yellow, or greenish,
- Frequent respiratory infections, Lack of energy,
- Later on -Unintended weight loss (in later stages), Swelling in ankles, feet, or legs.
What are the complications of COPD?
- Acute exacerbation of COPD, what we can call an attack of breathlessness.
- Acute and/or chronic respiratory failure.
- Pulmonary hypertension, Cor-pulmonale, what we can call effects on the heart.
- Weight loss, Bacterial infections, Osteoporosis, Pneumonia.
What is the treatment of COPD?
We treat patients for their various symptoms, disease, and complications.
Because many people with COPD, having mild forms of the disease, may not need treatment other than smoking cessation or avoiding exposure to dust and fumes. But for those with symptoms or more advanced stages of the disease, we can offer effective therapy to control symptoms, slow down the progression of the disease, reduce the risk of complications and exacerbations, and improve a person’s ability to lead an active life.
Quitting smoking -The most essential step is to quit all smoking. Stopping smoking will prevent COPD from getting worse and reduce the ability to breathe.
Medicines-Several kinds of medications are used to treat the symptoms and complications of COPD. Patients may take some medications regularly and others as needed.
Bronchodilators-Bronchodilators are medications that will allow airways to open up so that air can come out from the lungs, and these usually come in the form of inhalers — they relax the muscles around airways. They also help relieve coughing and shortness of breath and make breathing easier. Depending on the severity of the disease, the doctor will advise a particular drug. Few patients may need antibiotics
How to avoid complications?
Quitting smoking helps reduce the risk of heart disease and lung cancer. Annual flu vaccination and regular vaccination against pneumococcal pneumonia lessen the risk of or prevent some infections.
Why do we celebrate world COPD Day?
World COPD Day is organized by the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) in collaboration with healthcare professionals and COPD patient groups worldwide. It aims to raise awareness, share knowledge, and discuss ways to reduce the burden of COPD worldwide.
What is the theme for world COPD Day?
The 2022 theme for World COPD Day on 16th November 2022 is “Your Lungs for Life.” This year’s theme aims to highlight the importance of lifelong lung health. You are born with only one set of lungs. From development to adulthood, keeping lungs healthy is a very important part of future health and well-being of oneself, family, and nation
Why do we use an inhaler and not a tablet/injection?
There are 2 reasons
- The inhaler gets the medicine to the lungs most efficiently and does not go through the bloodstream, kidneys, and heart and then reach the lungs.
- The doses used in inhalers are very, very small in micrograms and not in milligrams as in tablets or injections, so we avoid complications due to higher doses as well as quick and direct effective action
Will we get addicted to inhalers?
Inhalers are not addictive, but it is a good habit to keep control of COPD. COPD & asthma medicines are not habit-forming.
What is rehabilitation, and why is it needed?
Pulmonary rehabilitation is a program that can help in learning how to breathe easier and improve quality of life. It includes breathing exercises, exercise training, education, counseling for nutritious food, meditation and avoiding infection, and early treatment of infections.
Regular exercise has many benefits. Exercise, especially aerobic exercise, can:
- Improve circulation and help the body better use oxygen.
- Improve COPD symptoms, Build energy levels so patients can do more activities without becoming tired or short of breath.
- Strengthen heart and cardiovascular system, Increase endurance.
- Lower blood pressure.
- Improve muscle tone and strength; improve balance and joint flexibility.
Why is vaccination needed, and how does it help?
Patients with COPD are more prone to infections than healthy people. Also, each infection may cause increased symptoms and worsening of lung health as they are more vulnerable to viral and bacterial lung infections, which are major causes of frequent exacerbation and hospitalization.
A vaccine is the most common way to immunize a person against infection. Pneumococcal and influenza vaccines are routinely recommended, and now even covid vaccine has been added to the list.