Check for early signs to ward off pulmonary diseases

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, November 18

Association of Physicians of India (Malwa Branch) organised a charitable public awareness programme at Kishori Ram Hospital and Diabetes Care Centre on the occasion of World COPD Day here today.

Dr Vitull K Gupta, Chairman of API Malwa Branch, said COPD Day was set up to raise awareness for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Symptoms of COPD include a cough, expectoration (sputum), breathlessness and chest infections. COPD is usually caused by smoking or exposure to fumes or very dusty places. In COPD airways are damaged, leading to restricted oxygen having access to the lungs which is irreversible.

Every year Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease promotes the awareness day by choosing a theme and sending out materials to health care professionals, people from the education sector and members of the public.

World COPD Day was first held in 2002 and every year over 50 countries worldwide take part in activities to raise awareness of COPD.

The theme of World COPD Day is “It’s not too late” and this positive message emphasises the meaningful actions people can take to improve their respiratory health, at any stage before or after a COPD diagnosis. COPD is a highly prevalent disease, has a impact on quality of life for patients and their families, and kills millions of people worldwide.

Yet perhaps one-quarter to one-half of people with clinically significant COPD don’t know they have it. Because of this fact API Malwa Branch is organizing charitable free spirometry (lung function) test every month at Kishori Ram Hospital. Spirometry is a simple, painless test for diagnose of COPD. Reducing the burden of COPD worldwide depends on identifying a greater proportion of people who have developed the disease, and getting them treatment and other help.

The early stages of COPD are often unrecognised, because people do not care for symptoms such as breathlessness, chronic cough and expectoration.

Dr Vitull said such charitable COPD awareness programmes and monthly spirometry camp will help increase awareness among the common people and detect COPD early. Dr Vitull K Gupta is part of 14 nation trial on COPD and is also conducting a survey to identify adverse effects of stubble burning.