The Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) It is the third cause of death in the world, according to the World Health Organization. If we place it in Argentina, it has a mortality rate of 22% in the population over 40 years of age.according to the latest official data (1980-2014).
In turn, Its prevalence in the country covers 14.5% of the population over 40 years of age and more than 94.4% of those over 50 years of age, mainly tobacco or cigarette smokers.
Within the framework of World COPD Daywhich is remembered this Wednesday and every third Wednesday in Novemberit is necessary to put on the agenda the serious health problems, even death, that this chronic respiratory condition can bring, but which can also be treated and the person who suffers from it can carry out their life healthily.
Sergio Zuninoa doctor specializing in internal medicine and pulmonology at the UBA MN 88737, explained to the FIRST EDITION radio what “It is an extremely prevalent disease, it is chronic, but depending on how we are exposed to harmful environments, it will be progressive or not.”
“It is not a disease that can be cured but can be treated symptomatically, which is why there is a great strategy of trying to prevent its appearance or taking it in the most important stages, which are the main ones, when the symptoms begin to appear.”Zunino highlighted.
Symptoms and late diagnosis
Symptoms in people with COPD include: chronic cough (with phlegm in some cases), the shortness of breath after walking a little more than usual or not, the silvancia of the chest, chest tightnessthe lack of energy or have frequent respiratory infections.
Regarding this, Zunino added that “people say ‘it’s normal, how I smoke, it’s the cigarette cough’, but “It is not normal for a person to cough, it is not normal for a person to have limited ability to perform normal tasks, and it is not normal for a person to have wheezing in their chest and it has an impact on their activities in daily life.”he warned.
All of the above “has to be an alarm signal for them to approach the healthcare environment,” he said.
Likewise, the doctor explained that “these patients not only usually have Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), they also have cardiovascular disease and other comorbidities.”
Smoker and passive smoker
The data on COPD in Argentina show that More than 70% of people with COPD are or were at some point smokers, But they are not the only ones: there are passive smokers.
In this regard, Zunino said that “Tobacco users are the main exponents of the development of this disease, but sometimes without smoking directly, a cohabitant, after many years of being in an environment full of cigarette or tobacco smoke in closed environments, can develop the chronic respiratory condition”he warned. He added that “some people who smoke for a long time do not develop COPD because they have special genetics, but we also know people in their 40s who have smoked relatively little and have died.”
“Prolonged exposure to harmful environments is harmful to health because it develops all these deposits of harmful substances in the bronchi and lungs”he highlighted.
To all this, environmental issues not related to tobacco are added“such as cooking with wood or charcoal in places that may be poorly ventilated for a long time,” said the specialist, as well as those people who work in industries where environmental smoke is generated.
Treatment
Regarding treatment, you have to start from a base, said Zunino. The first advice from doctors to patients with symptoms is preventionwarning that it is very likely that you will develop COPD, then find out the environmental conditions where you live and try to prevent further exposure or modify that habitat. “Afterwards we will always indicate physical exercise, healthy eating and we also have pharmacological treatment”he said.
Meanwhile, he assured that “Every person with chronic respiratory pathology such as COPD, asthma and others must be correctly immunized. “It has a special predisposition to acquire major respiratory infections (flu, pneumonia, COVID, etc.).”
Regarding this, he explained that “the person who has COPD must receive the flu vaccineyou have to receive your immunization for pneumonia, which is called pneumococcal vaccine. Of these there are two kinds: one that is applied once in a lifetime; and the other, every five years until age 65 and then once after turning 65. And obviously we have to have the of Covid“, he summarized.
“If we have patients vaccinated and treated, we remove their exposure to harmful things, we will reduce the fact that these people have a higher prevalence of acquiring respiratory infections,” he concluded.
(Originally published by FIRST EDITION November 15, 2023)
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The entrance COPD, a “normalized” disease that can cause death if not treated was first published in First Edition.
Question 4: What are some common misconceptions about COPD that you would like to address?
Guest 1: Sergio Zunino, a doctor specializing in internal medicine and pulmonology at the UBA MN 88737
Question 1: Can you please explain what Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is and how it affects people’s lives?
Answer 1: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a chronic respiratory condition characterized by airflow limitation, making it difficult for individuals to breathe. It is caused by irreversible damage to the airways and tissues of the lungs, typically due to long-term exposure to harmful substances such as tobacco smoke or air pollution. People with COPD often experience shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, and chest tightness, which can significantly affect their quality of life. They may have to limit their physical activity, find it difficult to perform daily tasks, and are more susceptible to respiratory infections and other health problems.
Question 2: How widespread is COPD in Argentina, and what are some of the main risk factors?
Answer 2: In Argentina, COPD has a mortality rate of 22% among people over 40 years of age, according to the latest official data. Smoking is the primary risk factor for COPD, but it’s not the only one. Prolonged exposure to harmful environmental factors like pollution, dust, and chemicals can also contribute to the development of COPD.
Guest 2: Carolina Villagrán, a patient advocate and lung health specialist
Question 3: What advice do you have for people who are concerned they may have COPD or are at risk of developing it?
Answer 3: The most important thing is to pay attention to any symptoms that might indicate COPD, such as chronic coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. Early diagnosis is crucial for effective management of the disease. A doctor should be consulted if these symptoms persist or worsen. Lifestyle changes, including quitting smoking and avoiding exposure to harmful environmental factors, can also help prevent the onset or progression of COPD
