November is a month of plenty- it is the month of lung cancer awareness, diabetes awareness, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), among other such health awareness days. There are over 5 million positive cases in India alone and this number has gone up drastically in the last few decades due to a combination of unknown and well-known reasons. Since many of us don’t know much about COPD itself, we won't know when to get tested. We may think that feeling breathless or wheezy, having emphysema, or other lung-related bronchitis-like issues are commonplace. This assumption is very wrong and we need to educate more people about why early screening and proper treatment can greatly help improve prognosis in the long run.
The Significance Of Celebrating COPD Awareness Month
November is also celebrated as National COPD Awareness Month in India. This is hence a great month to talk openly about issues like dangerously high levels of air pollution, smoking excessively, or exposure to other pollutants like asbestos or industrial hazards. The airways of an individual get very swollen and hence the person feels like they are not able to breathe at all. Almost 10% of the population suffers from COPD with varying degrees of severity, with more people getting affected in urban areas when compared to rural areas. Most of us take symptoms like these - feeling breathless, getting very tired easily, coughing or wheezing a lot, or having a tight feeling in the chest, etc. very lightly and would rather get on with our daily work. You should not ignore these warning signs and instead get checked soon.
The ‘Theme’ For 2024
World COPD Awareness Month is celebrated with great fervor on the third Wednesday of every November and this year it falls on Nov 15. This day was first celebrated in 2002 by GOLD(Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease and is a great way for doctors and patients to get together and learn more about advancements in the treatment of this incurable condition. The theme for this year is ‘ Breathing is Life- Act Earlier’. Though we cannot change faulty genes in any way, it makes sense to be aware of the risk factors associated with this condition. Getting screened early is the only way to go forward.
Conclusion
COPD is an incurable genetic condition caused due to an enzyme deficiency which can make normally watery mucus very sticky. Chronic pulmonary disease is normally diagnosed with imaging and spirometry-like tests. Treatment utilises oxygen therapy or drugs which can help reduce inflammation of the lung passages. Though smoking is a well-known cause, most people who have COPD have never really smoked at all in their lives. Normal aging itself can cause a reduction in lung function but in very gradual amounts. Let us get screened regularly and let us give ourselves the chance to breathe easy!
FAQs
1) Why is World COPD Awareness Month celebrated?
To help the general public improve its general awareness about COPD and to understand the early warning signs, so as to be able to cope with them better.
2) How is COPD diagnosed?
It is mainly diagnosed using a test called spirometry where the amount of air you take in and blow out and the rate at which you do so is measured.
3) Can COPD be cured?
No, there is no cure for this condition. Research has helped us understand risk factors but not come up with a proper treatment plan.
4) What are the possible complications associated with COPD?
If COPD symptoms are not taken care of soon, it may lead to issues like pneumonia, sleep apnea, heart failure, or even lung cancer.
5) Is exercise a good way to help manage COPD symptoms?
Exercise is the best way to help retain and even improve lung function as this component majorly deteriorates as the condition progresses.