Pulmonary disease COPD starts slowly

Smoking cough may be an indication of dangerous COPD

19/11/2014

More and more people around the world are suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) „smoker's cough“, Sputum and respiratory distress. Despite rising numbers of the disease is largely unknown, also the annoying cough is often not taken seriously enough and ignored by many smokers rather. With fatal consequences, because a COPD is usually not curable and can even be deadly in an emergency. Accordingly, it stands today „World COPD Day 2014“ again the education of the population in the center.

Coughing and spitting are often underestimated
Cough in the morning is part of the normal everyday life for many smokers, often it sets in the morning after getting up and is accompanied by a tough expectoration. In many cases, the so-called „smoker's cough“ Although regarded as an unpleasant, but not dramatic consequence of long-term smoke - and thus often underestimated fundamental. The problem: the cough may be an indication of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease („chronic obstructive pulmonary disease "(COPD for short), which refers to various chronic respiratory diseases that are characterized by an increasing blockage of respiration.CoPD is now considered the most common disease with the highest rate of increase, which, according to the association „COPD - Germany e.V.“ According to estimates, around 6.8 million people in Germany alone and around 600 million people worldwide are affected. The frequency increases strongly with age, so according to the Foundation „airway“ 15 percent of over-40s and just under 30 percent of over-70s are already affected in this country.

COPD now the third leading cause of death worldwide
Accordingly, according to the World Health Organization, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is now the third leading cause of death worldwide. The most important signs are sputum, cough and respiratory distress („AHA“-Symptoms), the latter often occurring at the beginning only with physical exertion, in the further course also in the resting state. The smoker's cough is usually the strongest in the morning, which also causes the so-called „sputum“ is relatively easily coughed off, which is usually slightly brownish in COPD. In addition, during the course of the disease often develops a tightness in the chest or the feeling of a „hyperinflated“ Lungs, which causes those affected constantly „breathless“ feel. In addition, too „squeaky“ or. „rattling“ Noise during exhalation and an overall reduced performance typical.

In 90% of cases smoking is the cause
The cause of COPD is in most cases a permanent pollution of the lungs, with the biggest risk being smoking. Accordingly, up to 90 percent of all cases can be attributed to tobacco smoking, in addition to which, however, the passive smoking is a serious risk. Significantly rare are also toxic dust, vapors and gases as a cause into consideration, as well as hereditary factors or frequent respiratory infections in childhood , If there is a COPD, this is not completely curable, but can be mitigated by an appropriate therapy, a progression of the disease or stopped and thereby improve the quality of life of patients. If, on the other hand, no treatment is given, COPD can be fatal. In Germany alone, more than 20,000 people are still dying of the long-term consequences. As a result, sufferers should consult a doctor promptly and stop smoking immediately, because it is crucial to the success of the treatment to avoid the triggers of the disease.

WHO establishes initiative to educate the population
Despite the steadily increasing number of cases, COPD is not known to most people, so in many cases the disease is not diagnosed early enough. For this reason, the World Health Organization (WHO), in collaboration with the National Institute of Health (NIH), has developed the so-called „Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease“ (GOLD), with the aim of improving diagnosis and treatment and informing people about COPD. Since 2002 GOLD has been organizing the „World Day COPD“, attended by health organizations and patient associations from more than 50 countries.

Early diagnoses only possible through greater awareness of COPD
This year's November will start today, November 19th „World COPD Day 2014“ Under the motto "It's not too late“, The focus of the action is on numerous options such as breathing techniques or special physical exercises that help those affected to stop the progressive loss of lung function. „The drive to improve early detection, develop new treatments, and predict better patient outcomes is key to renewing optimism in this struggle“, so Dr. Marc Decramer, CEO of the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease. There is still a lot of work to be done here, Decramer continues: „However, there is still a long way to go to improve awareness of COPD and key symptoms such as chronic cough and shortness of breath. This will be necessary to increase the number of early diagnosis of the disease.“ (No)