The leading cause of COPD is inhalation of tobacco smoke

The third Wednesday in November is World Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Day. This is a pathology that affects the respiratory system and can damage the bronchi and lungs. Additionally, it can have effects on other organs, such as the heart, muscles, and bones.

• COPD is primarily caused by inhaling cigarette smoke, either from smoking or from exposure to environmental smoke (passive smoking).
• Therefore, it is important to quit smoking, as continued smoking can accelerate the progression of COPD, regardless of the severity of the disease.
• Although less common, the condition can also be caused by inhaling gases from the burning of wood or coal used to heat the environment, as well as long-term exposure to smoke and particles from different work activities.

It is a chronic respiratory disease that can be prevented and treated. It is characterized by persistent restriction of airflow, called obstruction. This limitation may exhibit some degree of reversibility, but it will never normalize.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), COPD is the third leading cause of death worldwide, killing more than 3 million people every year.

symptom

The common age at which symptoms appear is 50 years and older:

• Cough, dry cough or discharge: May be mild and only occur when getting up. This is called smoker’s cough.
• Shortness of breath (difficulty breathing): Initially, great effort is required. Smokers often attribute this to weight gain or poor health. Dyspnea progresses slowly over time.
• wheezing (wheezing)
• tightness in chest
• lose weight
• Loss of appetite
• emotional pain
• Weakness and fatigue (late stage)

COPD can affect a person’s quality of life because it makes physical activity difficult. Its evolution is gradual but can be treated.

Some people experience worsening symptoms, including increased difficulty breathing, increased coughing, and increased secretion of bronchial mucus, for days or even weeks.

These processes are called exacerbations, and if they occur frequently, they can accelerate the loss of lung function and cause shortness of breath without much effort.

There are two main forms of COPD:

• Chronic bronchitis, characterized by a prolonged cough with discharge
• Emphysema, which involves damage to the lungs

Most people with COPD suffer from both conditions.

During the course of the disease, other related conditions (comorbidities) often appear, exacerbating its severity, such as right heart failure, lung cancer, osteoporosis, anxiety, and depression.

Although there is no cure, treatment and lifestyle changes (such as quitting smoking) can help people feel better and slow the progression of the disease.

Domestic research shows that the prevalence of COPD among people over 40 years old is 14.5%; it is more common in men than women, and 82.5% of those affected are current or former smokers.

health expo

On Wednesday the 15th and Thursday the 16th, the Señor del Milagro Hospital will host a health fair organized by the Pulmonology Department. The goal is to provide the community with information about healthy habits to prevent COPD.

The event will take place on both days from 8am to 12pm in the hospital’s internal courtyard. In addition to the information desk, professionals will provide lectures and advice on the correct use of masks to patients with the disease.

At Señor del Milagro Hospital, COPD patients are assisted by an interdisciplinary team that includes pulmonologists, clinic residents, kinesiologists, psychologists, nutritionists and nurses.