WORLD COPD DAY: UNDERSTANDING LUNG HEALTH FOR EARLY DETECTION

Team L&M

As part of World COPD Day 2024 (November 20), health experts are emphasising the importance of knowing and understanding lung health, in line with this year’s theme, “Know Your Lung Function.” This focus is crucial as non-communicable diseases (NCDs) account for 74 per cent of global deaths, with chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) significantly impacting health outcomes, especially in India. COPD is the most prevalent yet underdiagnosed respiratory condition, affecting around 55 million Indians and ranking as the second leading cause of death in the country as per the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019.

The COPD is a lung condition caused by inhalation of irritants, like cigarette smoke, leading to irreversible airway inflammation and breathing difficulties. Common symptoms include a persistent cough with sputum, breathlessness and fatigue. The World COPD Day 2024 serves as a global call to action to raise awareness about COPD and highlight the importance of early lung care. Creating a supportive ecosystem for patients and their families is essential for better health outcomes. Initiatives like Breathefree, which provide both physical and digital resources, including the newly relaunched Breathefree website, assist patients throughout their journey—from screening to treatment adherence. These resources play a crucial role in helping patients improve their lung health and overall quality of life.

Speaking on the importance of lung function testing Chest Physician & Interventional Pulmonologist Dr Mahavir Modi says, “Early diagnosis and treatment are vital for effective management of chronic respiratory disease like COPD and in preventing further complications. Spirometry, a lung function test that measures the amount of air the lungs can hold and how quickly you can exhale, is crucial for diagnosing COPD early, before the severity of the condition further escalates. Unfortunately, many individuals in India only recognize the signs of COPD when a family member has experienced it, often dismissing early symptoms as aging, the common flu or a smoker’s cough. Patient education is therefore essential. Reliable resources for information like the new Breathefree website play a key role in engaging the public in the mission to improve lung health in India, empowering individuals to take proactive steps in managing their respiratory health.”

Highlighting the critical role of awareness in managing COPD, another pulmonologist Dr Nitin Abhyankar, says, “The goal of COPD management is to slow disease progression and reduce the decline in lung function. With almost two-thirds of COPD cases undiagnosed and only one-fifth receiving proper inhalation treatment as per a large multicentre rural population-based study conducted in 2022 in India, increasing awareness can save lives. Bronchodilator inhalers are key to managing COPD, helping patients breathe easier, while pulmonary rehabilitation programs can significantly improve quality of life. In fact, for certain patients struggling with correct inhalation technique, nebulized treatment can be considered. Nebulisation is another effective way to help patients manage their condition. Raising awareness about available treatment options is crucial in ensuring more patients receive timely as well as appropriate care and support, ultimately leading to better outcomes and improved lung health.”