Aishwarya Vaidya
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Written By: Aishwarya Vaidya | Published : June 29, 2018 4:42 PM IST
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a group of progressive lung diseases, the most common ones being emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Many people with COPD have both these conditions. Speaking about this, Padma Shri Awardee, Dr K K Aggarwal, President, HCFI, said, "COPD is a disease that develops over time, with some of the major reasons for it being smoking and exposure to chemical irritants. Some people are also genetically predisposed to developing COPD. About 5% people with this condition have a deficiency in a protein called alpha-1-antitrypsin which causes lungs to deteriorate and can also affect the liver. The stages of this condition range from stage I to stage IV. With time, the disease progressively worsens. Stage IV is also known as 'end stage' COPD. The disease is not contagious and cannot be passed from person to person." Read:9 dos and don'ts for patients suffering from COPD
He added, "The most effective and preventative therapy for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is to avoid contact with tobacco smoke. Medication includes bronchodilators that relax the muscles around the airways. These help in opening the airways and make breathing easier. Surgery is usually the last resort and undertaken only after all other options do not benefit the patient."
As per Dr K K Aggarwal, Some common signs and symptoms of COPD include ongoing cough or a cough that produces a lot of mucus; shortness of breath, especially with physical activity; wheezing or a whistling or squeaky sound while breathing; chest tightness. Read:Physiotherapy treatment for COPD (Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
"One should avoid smoking.Make sure your diet is rich in fruits and vegetables. The antioxidants present in them are required to give a boost to your immunity against conditions such as COPD. Long-term stress is a major risk factor for a number of health conditions and also practice breathing exercises," advises Dr KK Aggarwal.
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