It is predicted that COPD, which ranks 3rd among diseases that cause loss of life today, will increase even more in the coming years due to the increase in smoking rates.
Chest Diseases Specialist Professor, who informed that approximately 400 million people in the world have COPD. Dr. Banu Musaffa Salepçi points out that he unfortunately does not know that 1 out of every 9 COPD patients are sick.
Chronic Obstructive (Obstructive) Pulmonary Disease, known as COPD, as a result of narrowing of the airways called bronchus in the lungs and the destruction of air sacs called alveoli; It is a very common problem that causes complaints such as difficulty breathing, cough and shortness of breath. Yeditepe University Kozyatağı Hospital Chest Diseases Specialist Professor, who stated that 4 out of every 1 smokers had COPD. Dr. Banu Musaffa Salepçi said, “Apart from smoking, childhood infections and the tandoori tradition that is common in Anatolia can also cause COPD. "Fuels such as gazel, brushwood and dung, which we call biological fuels burned in tandoor, can cause women to be exposed to various gases and particles and cause COPD to develop.
COPD PATIENTS ARE NOT AWARE OF ITS DISEASE
COPD is a problem that constricts the airways, makes breathing difficult and affects the daily life of the patient very seriously. Explaining that COPD patients have different symptoms, from cough and sputum to shortness of breath even when walking a short distance. Dr. Stating that there are different types of COPD, Banu Musaffa Salepçi explained:
“Emphysema is the type that results in the deterioration of the lung tissue caused by the destruction of the air sacs called alveoli, loss of elasticity and inability to carry enough oxygen to the blood. In these patients, shortness of breath, which occurs when climbing stairs and slopes, begins to be seen even when walking on a flat road as the disease progresses. Another type of COPD is chronic bronchitis. Chronic bronchitis is a disease of the airways, unlike emphysema. Cell accumulation and irreversible thickening occurs in the bronchial wall over time. These patients present with complaints of cough and phlegm lasting for at least 3 months each year in winter. Patients with COPD often see their experiences naturally thinking that their symptoms such as cough and sputum are related to the cigarette they smoke and they delay referring to the doctor. For this reason, 10 out of 9 COPD patients do not know they have COPD because they cannot be diagnosed. "
PASSIVE BEVERAGES AT RISK!
Underlining that if COPD is not treated and if the patient has not quit smoking, these patients may die at least 10 years before the time they should live. Dr. Salepçi said, “It is harmful to smoke even one cigarette every day. However, as the amount and duration drunk increases, the risk increases exponentially. Tobacco is a carcinogenic substance even without any processing. Moreover, in cigarette making, tobacco goes through many processes and many additives are added. While burning a cigarette, many harmful substances come out with its smoke. Therefore, passive smokers who do not smoke but are in a smoking environment also face the risk of COPD ”.
DISEASE CANNOT BE TREATED IF SMOKING IS NOT GIVEN
Yeditepe University Hospital Chest Diseases Specialist Prof. Dr. Banu Musaffa Salepçi continued as follows: “Therefore, our primary goal is to reduce the symptoms experienced by the patient. In this way, we aim to increase the quality of life. However, the most important point is to quit smoking. Because as long as smoking continues, it is impossible to cure the disease and it continues to progress. By measuring the symptoms such as shortness of breath experienced by the patient, we determine the stage of COPD and start drug treatment. "
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