Xalapa, Ver.- The Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) Veracruz Norte informs the general population about Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), which makes breathing difficult and can be fatal.
The doctor specializing in Internal Medicine at the General Hospital of Zone (HGZ) No. 11, Norman Rivera Andrade, reported that, “COPD is a progressive disease that can be fatal and predisposes one to suffer serious illnesses, through the limitation of blood flow.” air”.
The use of solid fuels and heating, as well as the pollution generated by transport vehicles and factories, are factors that predispose the disease, and the main cause of COPD is exposure to tobacco smoke, both in active and passive smokers.
The most common symptoms that may occur are: difficulty breathing, chronic cough, fatigue and recurrent respiratory infections, a problem that worsens with mild activity.
Dr. Rivera Andrade added: “When we talk about COPD, we are referring to two conditions: emphysema, which occurs when the walls between many of the air sacs in the lungs are damaged, and chronic bronchitis, which occurs due to irritation or inflammation. “Repeated or constant swelling of the lining of the airways in which a large amount of thick mucus accumulates in the airways, making it difficult to breathe.”
The specialist expressed the importance of going to the emergency room in case of respiratory distress, as well as visiting your family doctor if you suspect you have the disease or present various symptoms, since its complication can cause death.
Hello and welcome to World Today News. Today, we have two wonderful guests joining us to discuss Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or COPD. Firstly, we have Dr. Norman Rivera Andrade, a specialist in Internal Medicine at General Hospital of Zone 11 in Veracruz Norte, Mexico who has been working extensively with patients suffering from COPD. And secondly, we have Dr. Sofia Rodriguez, a Pulmonologist and Assistant Professor at the University of Texas Medical Branch School of Medicine. Thank you both for joining us today.
Dr. Rivera Andrade, could you please tell our viewers more about COPD and what makes it such a serious health concern?
Dr. Rivera Andrade: Certainly, COPD is a progressive disease that can be fatal and predisposes individuals to suffer from serious illnesses due to the limitation of blood flow. It’s caused mainly by exposure to tobacco smoke, both in active and passive smokers, but also by factors such as the use of solid fuels for heating or cooking, and pollution generated by vehicles and factories. The disease affects the respiratory system, where the walls between the air sacs in the lungs are damaged, making it difficult for an individual to breathe and leading to various symptoms like chronic cough, fatigue, and frequent respiratory infections.
Dr. Rodriguez, can you expand on the different types of COPD and their symptoms?
Dr. Rodriguez: Absolutely. COPD is actually an umbrella term that refers to two separate conditions: emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Emphysema occurs when the walls between many air sacs in the lungs are damaged, leading to a loss of elasticity and function. Chronic bronchitis, on the other hand, is caused by inflammation or irritation of the airways, which can lead to excess mucus production and obstruction. Both conditions can cause shortness of breath, wheezing, and chest tightness, among other symptoms. The key difference is that bronchitis also tends to cause coughing and mucus production.
Have there been any advancements in treating COPD or preventing
