The third deadliest disease!

The third deadliest disease!

According to the World Health Organization data, there are 600 million COPD patients today. While 50 million people get this disease every year, 3 million of them die due to this disease. Chest Diseases Specialist Prof. Dr. Yalçın Karakoca gave information about the subject.

COPD is the third deadliest disease. COPD damages the cells in the lung, and when irreversible damage occurs, the cells in the lung are deactivated.

COPD, also known as chronic bronchitis among the people, is a chronic disease characterized by the restriction of airflow during breathing due to narrowing of the airways in the lungs. COPD is a progressive disease that develops due to non-microbial inflammation in the airways due to tobacco smoke, harmful gases and particles. As the airways narrow gradually due to this inflammation, irreversible enlargement and destruction of the air sacs occur in the lung tissue.

Only 1 in 10 people with COPD are aware of their disease. Symptoms of COPD may not be noticed, on average, until they reach the age of 50. The main reason for this is that the person is not aware of the signs of COPD or associates it with smoking. However, chronic cough and sputum production are actually the first indicators of the onset of the disease. These findings are often overlooked, but when shortness of breath becomes evident, the patient consults a doctor. When shortness of breath occurs, it may be too late.

BIGGEST RISK: SMOKING

The most important reason for the development of COPD is active use of cigarettes/tobacco products or passive exposure to smoke. In addition, some other environmental and genetic factors are also very effective in the progression of the disease. The most important known risk factor for COPD is the use of cigarettes or other tobacco products, and indoor air pollution is an important risk factor for COPD, especially in underdeveloped and developing countries (such as bread or cooking in a tandoori). In our country, especially in rural areas, it is the most important cause of COPD in non-smokers. Environmental factors or occupational exposure to various gases and dusts are also important risk factors for the development of COPD. Hereditary alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is the most important known genetic risk factor, but; This situation is rare in our country.

COPD, also known colloquially as chronic bronchitis, is a chronic disease characterized by the restriction of airflow during breathing due to narrowing of the airways in the lungs.

In patients with narrowing of the trachea and thickening of the phlegm-producing cells as a result of smoking and tobacco use, the trachea is cleaned and treated by expanding it.