World COPD Day 2024:
The lungs are a very important part of our body. It supplies oxygen to our blood and removes carbon dioxide from the body. But today, as pollution has increased in the country, the problem of lung-related diseases has also increased. Especially when pollution particles spread in the air of Delhi, the country’s capital, settle in the lungs, people start having trouble breathing. Let us tell you that these small particles present in the air spread through breath to the lungs and from the lungs to the blood and then gradually spread throughout the body. Due to this, lung related problems are increasing day by day and are emerging in the form of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In this problem breathing becomes difficult. This mainly includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis, which damage the lungs over time. Given this situation, World COPD Day began with the aim of raising awareness about this disease. Dr Ajay Shah, CEO, Newberg Laboratory, Noida, explains when this respiratory disease occurs, what its symptoms are and what should be done to prevent it.
COPD symptoms
- persistent cough,
- excessive mucus production,
- wheezing
- shortness of breath and chest tightness
- Severe shortness of breath and frequent respiratory infections.
due to COPD
COPD is mainly caused by prolonged exposure to irritants that damage the lungs. Smoking remains the leading cause, although non-smokers exposed to air pollution or fuel smoke are also at risk. This disease can also be caused by genetic reasons such as alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.
COPD prevention
If you want to control COPD, improve your lifestyle and quit some bad habits such as smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol. Additionally, wearing a mask in polluted environments and improving indoor air quality significantly reduces the risk. Vaccination against flu and pneumonia also plays an important role.
COPD treatment
There is no cure for COPD; This disease can only be controlled by improving your lifestyle. For this, medications such as bronchodilators and steroids and oxygen therapy are usually used.
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