Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common lung disease. Having COPD makes it hard to breathe. Smoking is the main cause of COPD. The more a person smokes, the more likely that person will develop COPD. India is now the ‘COPD Capital of the World’.  Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is the third leading cause of death worldwide, causing 3.23 million deaths in 2019. World COPD Day 2021 is observed on Wednesday 17 November. India contributes a significant and growing percentage of COPD mortality which is estimated to be amongst the highest in the world. Estimates suggest there are 30 million COPD patients in India.

COPD was the second-highest cause of death in India after heart disease in 2017, killing 1 million. COPD led to 13% of all deaths in India, and 7.5 million were at risk of the disease in 2016. We at Medicircle are conducting the World COPD Day Awareness Series to raise awareness, share knowledge, and discuss ways to reduce the burden of COPD worldwide. 

Dr. Sanjay Gidhwani is a Consultant at Devanshi Heart and Speciality Clinics, Nagpur. He is attached to hospitals like Shri Krishna Hrudalaya and Critical Care Centre, orange city hospital, Midas hospital, & Sanjeevan hospital. He has also worked as a Consultant Cardiologist at Aster prime hospital.

Dr. Sanjay explains, “COPD can affect children. 

COPD can be seen in children who are frequently exposed to smoke. Commonly they are being exposed to passive smoking or unknowingly start active smoking in schools with friends or siblings. Deficiency disorder or enzymatic disorder - These conditions mostly affect the lungs resulting in chronic COPD.  Children who are exposed to long-term bronchial asthma in their childhood can also develop COPD.” 

Types of COPD

Dr. Sanjay describes, “Continuous inflammation in lungs is COPD. This inflammation produces continuous mucus production that damages the alveoli. COPD has two components – 

Chronic bronchitis - The bronchioles are continuously inflamed and produce a continuous cough in bronchitis. 

Emphysema - This results from damage to your lungs’ air sacs (alveoli) that destroy the walls inside them and causes them to merge into one giant air sac. It can’t absorb oxygen as well, so you get less oxygen in your blood. Damaged alveoli can make your lungs stretch out and lose their springiness. Air gets trapped in your lungs and you can’t breathe it out, so you feel short of breath.

COPD is generally nonreversible because it is the late stage of lung damage where a patient needs proper treatment.”

Warning signs of COPD

Dr. Sanjay lists out some warning signs

Shortness of breath, especially when you’re physically active

Wheezing or squeaking when you breathe

Tightness in your chest

Frequent colds or flu

Low energy

Losing weight without trying (in later stages)

Swollen ankles, feet, or legs

Complications

Dr. Sanjay emphasizes dreadful complications and mentions

COPD causes recurrent pneumonia, frequent lung infections, and lower tract infections. Chronic lung infections may result in chronically ill patients. Heart problems - COPD can raise your risk of heart diseases, including heart attack. Quitting smoking may lower the odds. Lung cancer - People with COPD are more likely to get lung cancer. This can be the result of long-term smoking. High blood pressure in lung arteries - COPD may raise blood pressure in the arteries that bring blood to your lungs. This is referred to as pulmonary hypertension. Depression – And living with a chronic illness can lead to depression. This comes as a withdrawal symptom along with a craving for smoking. Psychiatric illness is also common among these patients.

Treatment

Dr. Sanjay speaks about treatment

Breathing exercises. Psychological counseling. Physical exercises that help increase lung volume, lung capacity. Ask family members to look for psychological warning signs and if needed can take psychological counseling. Rehabilitation is important.  Quitting smoking is the first and foremost priority. Treating environmental exposure.  Inhalers include beta bronchodilators. Ex – salbutamol, terbutaline.  Long-acting beta-blockers for severe COPD are very useful. Steroids are also given with this. Mucolytics for excessive mucus. Antibiotics subside the symptoms. Rehabilitation is a tailored regimen effective in COPD.

(Edited by Renu Gupta)