4th largest killer disease, yet people are unaware

“COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) is a huge threat to India. It is a silent killer and every year, there is a sharp increase in the occurance of these cases,” warned city pulmonologists.

It is identified as the fourth largest killer disease. According to an estimate, COPD would become the third leading cause of death, worldwide by 2030.

“The aim of observing World COPD Day is to reduce the mortality and morbidity of COPD, prevent, create awareness and take up early diagnosis of the disease and encourage vaccination,” said Dr Subhakar Kandi, Professor of Pulmonary Medicine.

“If the disease is neglected or treated wrongly, it would cause lung cancer and other diseases,” he added.

“Many people do not know the fatal affects of different lung diseases such as pneumonia, asthma, tuberculosis, COPD etc. There is need to bring in awareness of the lung diseases in city, as well as in rural areas, opined DR Vishnu Rao, Swasa Hospital.

“For every ten people, three succumb to COPD. If you’re short of breath, go for spirometry test immediately,” he sugested.

“Once you are affected with COPD, there is no possibility of a permanent cure. It is a progressive disease,” he added.

Even youngsters were being diagnosed with COPD, because of their chain-smoking habits. In our country, every year around 5,66,000 are falling victims to COPD. This disease has always been more common among men. But recently, it has increased among women too, who are exposed to biomass fuel while cooking at their homes,” said Dr Subhakar.

“The death rates due to COPD is more than total deaths of malaria, HIV and TB. So there is a need to start a national programme for COPD like the national programme being implemented for Malaria, TB etc by the Central Government,” he added.

The aim of observing this day is to decrease the infections and avoid frequent hospitalsation of the COPD patient also,” he told.

“Every year the number of COPD cases are escalating by 8 to 10 per cent. Chain smokers and passive smokers fall prey to this disease enormously,” Dr Subhakar added.

“Almost 90 per cent of COPD deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. Total deaths from COPD are projected to increase, by more than 30 per cent in the next 10 years,” told Dr Sunanda, Consultant Pulmonologist.

The theme of this year is “It’s not too late”. Because of COPD, there is a possibility of heart problems. Muscles start waning and the patient becomes lean. He or she cannot do things by themselves.

“Long term smoking is responsible for pulmonary damage, leading to chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) including emphycema and chronic bronchitis,” said Dr Sudheer Chalasani, Internal Medicine.