COPD is a disease that affects quality of life, but is treatable

Stating that COPD is a treatable disease, Şanlıurfa Harran University Hospital Department of Chest Diseases Dr. Lecturer Member Hamdiye Turan said, “It is a common, preventable and treatable lung disease characterized by persistent respiratory complaints and difficulty breathing. The disease affects 10 in 1 of the world's adult population and is one of the three most common causes of death worldwide. "The number of deaths due to COPD worldwide reached 2019 million in 3,22, and the number of deaths increased by 2007 percent between 2017 and 17,5," he said.

Emphasizing that COPD is increasing due to air pollution and smoking, Turan said, "Today, in addition to tobacco use, exposure to fossil fuel (wood, coal, oil, gas) and biomass (plant stems, dung, etc.) smoke and air pollution in the indoor and outdoor environment." also constitute important risk factors. Retarded lung development before and after birth due to malnutrition, infections, and/or passive exposure to indoor and outdoor pollutants can also lead to COPD. Increasing tobacco use, dense urbanization, and worsening air quality also increase the risk of exposure to these factors in most low- and middle-income countries. "Reducing exposure to these risk factors is essential to reduce the future burden of COPD," he said.

Early diagnosis makes treatment easier

Stating that COPD can be contracted by every individual, regardless of age, Turan emphasized that early diagnosis is very important in this disease, as in all diseases. Turan, who recommended that people go to the hospital and have a breath test, continued his statement as follows:

“COPD can start at an early age and affect young individuals. Recognition and prevention of pre-COPD conditions, early diagnosis of patients and appropriate treatment approaches are important. The most common complaints in COPD are; cough, phlegm, shortness of breath and, in some cases, a feeling of fatigue. The patient's complaints increase with the progression of the disease, negatively affecting the person's quality of life. COPD can be easily diagnosed with a "breath measurement test", which is a simple, painless test in healthcare institutions. Confirming the diagnosis depends on identifying the obstruction leading to decreased airflow using respiratory function tests. People diagnosed with COPD should stop using tobacco and tobacco products, stay away from environments containing harmful dust and gases and air pollution, eat a healthy diet and exercise daily. “Fighting poverty and health inequalities is important for mass measures.”

He explained the treatment methods of COPD

Explaining COPD disease and ways to prevent it in full detail, Turan also gave information about treatment methods. Pointing out that this disease is focused on breathing, Turan said, "In the treatment of COPD, it is aimed to reduce the narrowing of the airways and relieve the patient as much as possible with breath-opening drugs called "inhalers". COPD patients with respiratory failure may need treatments such as home oxygen therapy and/or home ventilator therapy. In recent years, in a very small subgroup of COPD patients, bronchoscopic treatments, which should be performed in competent hands, are treatments that can temporarily relieve the effects, not the disease, and do not eliminate the disease. In order to be protected from exacerbations and pneumonia that worsen the course of the disease and even cause death, flu and pneumonia vaccinations and inhalation drug treatments must be administered properly. "In addition to these treatments, healthy nutrition, physical activity and, if necessary, pulmonary rehabilitation will help patients improve their daily lives."