COPD – the disease which takes two million Poles their breath away

According to the “Recommendations of the Polish Pulmonary Disease Association concerning the diagnostics and treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease", smoking is the cause of 80 percent cases of the disease in Poland.

Other risk factors include second-hand smoking, exposure to gaseous and dust pollution at work or at home, respiratory infections in childhood, and asthma. In ca. 3 percent of patients, the underlying cause involves genetic defects.

The fourth leading cause of death

The Polish Pulmonary Disease Association (PTChP) reports that the disease is characterised by an incompletely reversible constrictive bronchiolitis (so-called bronchoconstriction) and reduced airflow through the lower respiratory tract. This is connected with the excessive bronchial and pulmonary inflammation developing as a response to the harmful effects of the inhaled gasses and dust.

In Poland, COPD affects 10 percent of 40+ patients, which gives about 2 million Poles. However, as many as 80 percent remain oblivious of their condition and fail to take any action to stop its further progression. Yet, if untreated, COPD reduces life expectancy by 10-15 years.

COPD is currently the fourth leading cause of death worldwide and is expected to advance one position up the list by 2030, the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates.

Smokers, do not ignore your cough!

COPD develops slowly over time and is usually only diagnosed after some 20-30 years. At first its sole symptom is coughing, sometimes accompanied by sputum and shortness of breath in times of considerable physical effort, such as running. Nevertheless, smokers tend to disregard the coughing, considering it as a normal side-effect of smoking. Over time, the breathlessness starts to accompany normal activities of daily living, such as dressing up, or even appears at rest.

Research shows that COPD affects not only lungs. The chronic infection, taking place in the respiratory system, has adverse effects on other organs and tissues as well. As a result, COPD patients are more likely to develop Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), undergo a heart attack, or suffer from osteoporosis, depression, metabolic disorders and diabetes. They are also at greater risk of lung cancer.

In general, COPD is diagnosed very late, when irreversible changes have already taken place in the lungs to cause respiratory failure, and to render patient in need of continued oxygen therapy and mechanical ventilation. In the terminal stage of the disease, the patient needs to be ventilated.

Early diagnosis means longer and better life

A basic test to diagnose COPD is spirometry. It should be regularly taken by people aged 40+ who smoked or smoke cigarettes, as well as those who are or used to be exposed at work to toxic gasses and dust. This will help diagnose the disease in its early stage, when it is yet to produce all the unpleasant symptoms and there is still much that can be done to slow down the deterioration of the lung function and to increase life expectancy and quality.

What is crucial here is, above all, to quit smoking. Supplementary measures include the use of bronchodilators, a medication to open up the airways, and anti-inflammatory medicines, such as inhaled steroids and the so-called phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitors.

Another vital factor is respiratory rehabilitation and vaccines, which reduce the risk of pulmonary infections, such as the flu or pneumococcal diseases. When the respiratory failure further deteriorates, it is necessary to use oxygen therapy and mechanical ventilation.