Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a lung disease characterized by persistent impairment of air flow from the lungs. The disease is rather difficult to diagnose, threatens life, makes normal breathing impossible and is not completely treated. The commonly accepted terms "emphysema" and "chronic bronchitis" are no longer used in the terminology - today they are included in the parameters of the diagnosis of COPD.
The most common symptoms of COPD are shortness of breath (feeling of insufficient air during the breathing process), abnormal sputum (saliva and mucus in the respiratory tract) and a chronic cough. As obstructive pulmonary disease gradually develops, one may observe significant difficulty in daily physical activity, such as climbing stairs or lifting and moving a heavy suitcase.
A diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is confirmed with a simple test called spirometry, which shows how much airpossible during inhalation and exhalation of a person and the speed of air entering and exiting the lungs. Due to the slow progression of COPD, the diagnosis is most often made in people over the age of 40.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is completely incurable. A variety of methods and methods of treatment can help to slightly alleviate symptoms and improve the quality of life of the patient. For example, drugs that dilate the main airways of the lungs can help relieve shortness of breath.
In the last century, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was more common among men. But tobacco use has increased among women in countries with higher living standards, and the risk of exposure to polluted air in countries with lower living standards has increased, so that the disease now affects both men and women almost equally.
Obstructive pulmonary disease is fatal (approximately 90% of cases) in countries where the standard of living is average and below average. In such countries, effective disease prevention and control measures are seldom or not available at all.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is preventable. The main reason for its occurrence and development is inhaled tobacco smoke (including passive smokers), but there are other factors. These include:
- polluted indoor air (for example, when using solid fuels in the processcooking);
- air pollution;
- dust and chemicals entering the workplace (fumes, smoke, irritants);
- frequent cases of infection of the lower respiratory tract in childhood.
If urgent measures are not taken to reduce the main factors leading to the diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, then the prognosis will be disappointing: the total number of deaths from the disease in the next 10 years will increase by an average of 30%.
