Current status of COPD.
COPD affects more than 8 out of every 100 people in our population over the age of 40!
COPD is currently the 4th leading cause of death worldwide
COPD may affect up to 600 million people each year
According to World Bank and World Health Organization estimates, COPD ranked 12th in the burden of disease in 1990 and is expected to reach fifth in the burden of disease by 2020 and become the third leading cause of death.
What causes COPD
1. Smoking
Smoking is an important factor in the development of COPD, and quitting smoking is an important step in preventing and controlling COPD.
Passive smoking may also lead to respiratory symptoms and the development of COPD.
Pregnant women who smoke may affect the growth of the fetus’ lungs and development in the womb, and have an effect on the fetus’ immune system function.
2.Air pollution
Chemical gases such as chlorine and sulfur dioxide have an irritating and cytotoxic effect on the bronchial mucosa. When there is a significant increase in airborne soot or sulfur dioxide, there is a significant increase in acute COPD attacks. Other dusts such as silica and coal dust also irritate the bronchial mucosa, impairing airway clearance and creating conditions for bacterial invasion.
When the concentration of occupational dusts and chemicals (fumes, allergens, industrial exhaust and indoor air pollution, etc.) is too large or the exposure time is too long, it can lead to the occurrence of COPD unrelated to smoking. Exposure to certain specific substances, irritants, organic dusts and allergens can increase airway reactivity. Indoor air pollution caused by cooking and heating with biofuels in poorly ventilated living rooms.
3.Respiratory infections
Respiratory infections are another important factor in the onset and exacerbation of COPD. Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae may be the main pathogens of acute COPD exacerbations. Viruses also play a role in the onset and progression of COPD.
Certain genetic factors can increase the risk of COPD development. α1-antitrypsin deficiency has been associated with emphysema formation.
Bronchial asthma and airway hyperresponsiveness are risk factors for COPD. airway hyperresponsiveness may be related to certain genetic and environmental factors in the body.
COPD symptoms
1. Chronic cough
Cough is usually the first symptom to appear
Initially, the cough is intermittent, heavier in the morning, and later in the morning and evening or throughout the day, but the cough is not significant at night.
In a few cases, the cough is not accompanied by sputum. In some cases, there is no cough despite significant airflow limitation.
2.Difficulty in breathing
This is the hallmark symptom of COPD and is the main cause of anxiety in patients.
In the early stage, it only appears when exerting oneself, but then it gradually worsens, so that one feels short of breath even during daily activities and even at rest.
Self-assessment scale for severity of dyspnea
Grade 0 No significant dyspnea unless strenuous activity
Grade 1 Shortness of breath when walking fast or walking up a gentle slope
Grade 2 Shortness of breath is slower than walking at the same age due to dyspnea, or when walking on level ground at your own speed and need to stop
Grade 3 Needs to stop after walking 100 meters or several minutes on level ground
Grade 4 Shortness of breath due to obvious difficulty in breathing and cannot leave the house or get dressed or undressed
3. Coughing up sputum and shortness of breath, chest tightness
Coughing usually followed by a small amount of mucus sputum, some patients have more in the early morning
When combined with infection, the sputum volume increases, often with purulent sputum.
Shortness of breath and chest tightness are not specific symptoms of COPD.
Some patients, especially severe patients, have wheezing; tightness in the chest usually occurs after exertion and is associated with labored breathing and isotonic contraction of the intercostal muscles.
Why your doctor ordered a pulmonary function test
Pulmonary function test is an objective indicator of airflow limitation
It is important for COPD diagnosis, severity evaluation, disease progression, prognosis and treatment response
Pulmonary function tests are easy to perform, time-saving and non-invasive.
Key points to confirm COPD
Pulmonary function measurement is the gold standard for the diagnosis and evaluation of COPD, and FEV1/FVC <70% is an important indication of COPD.
History of exposure to risk factors, especially long-term smoking
A history of prolonged cough, sputum and shortness of breath, with the possibility of corresponding changes in imaging and biochemical tests