World COPD Day

World COPD Day

World COPD Day is celebrated with the aim to raise awareness about chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and improve COPD care worldwide. It is organized by the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) in collaboration with health care professionals and COPD patient groups throughout the world. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a lung disease that is characterized by a persistent reduction of airflow.

Facts about COPD

• COPD is currently the fourth leading cause of death in the world.
• COPD is projected to be the 3^rd leading cause of death by 2020.
• Estimated a global prevalence of 251 million COPD cases in 2016 (WHO).
• 3.17 million people died of COPD in 2015 accounting for 5% of all deaths globally in that year.
• Globally, the COPD burden is expected to rise in coming decades because of continued exposure to COPD risk factors (smoking and air pollution) and aging of the population.
• Many cases of COPD are preventable by avoidance or early cessation of smoking.
• More than 90% of COPD deaths occur in low­ and middle ­income countries.
• The primary cause of COPD is exposure to tobacco smoke (either active smoking or second­ hand smoke).
• Some cases of COPD are due to long-term asthma.
• COPD is likely to increase in coming years due to higher smoking prevalence and aging populations in many countries.
• COPD is not curable, but treatment can relieve symptoms, improve quality of life and reduce the risk of death

The most common respiratory symptoms include:

• Chronic and progressive dyspnea (breathlessness)
• Cough
• Sputum production
• Wheezing and chest tightness
• Others – including fatigue, weight loss, depression, anxiety.

Risk factors for COPD

The primary cause of COPD is tobacco smoke (including second­ hand or passive exposure). Other risk factors may include:

• Exposure to tobacco smoke through active as well as passive smoking
• People with asthma who smoke are at a higher risk of COPD
• Exposure to outdoor and indoor pollution such as air pollution, bio fuel used for cooking and heating
• Occupational exposure to dust and chemicals
• indoor air pollution (such as solid fuel used for cooking and heating)
• outdoor air pollution
• occupational dusts and chemicals (such as vapours, irritants, and fumes)
• frequent lower respiratory infections during childhood.

Prevention Tips

• Avoidance or early cessation of smoking (active as well as passive smoking).
• Reduction or avoidance of personal exposure to outdoor and indoor pollution such as air pollution, biomass fuel, chemical fumes and dusts.
• Use of protective equipment to reduce occupational exposure to dust and chemicals.
• Early treatment and control of asthma.
• Eating healthy diet to reduce the risk of respiratory infections.
• Avoid exposure to fireworks, crackers and fumes, in case you are a COPD patient.
• Persons with advanced COPD should stay indoors when outdoor air quality is poor.

Diagnosis and treatment

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is not curable. However, available medical and physical treatments can help relieve symptoms, improve exercise capacity and quality of life and reduce the risk of death. The availability of diagnostic and treatment options for COPD differs across varying resource settings. WHO has released a guideline with specific recommendations for COPD management in primary health care in resource constrained settings.

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