Database of diseases - Asthma

Cough or difficulty in breathing may be symptoms of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Specialists warn againstChronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Often, a common cough or difficulty in breathing may be symptoms of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Unfortunately, they are often neglected or misinterpreted - according to the results of TSN OBOP research, only 10% of Poles could mention breathing difficulties as a symptom of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

First symptomsCOPDthat do not arouse patient's anxiety is coughing.

The cough is usually associated with expectoration of bronchial secretions. These symptoms are not very characteristic, but very common. Among the smokers, they are considered "normal". They occur with varying severity and more or less can pay attention to the patient.


Another symptom is dyspnea, or the feeling of lack of breathing air.

The occurrence of this symptom is perceived by the patient as disturbing and it is often the first stimulus that forces him to visit a doctor. Dyspnoea may already be present in the early stages of COPD. Initially, it is only effortless. This means that it appears in situations requiring greater physical effort than ordinary everyday activities.

As the disease progresses, dyspnea occurs more and more often.

It appears during activities that until now were easily performed by the patient. It is increasingly difficult for the patient to exercise, which did not cause shortness of breath before. Dyspnea grows slowly, deceitfully, gradually limiting physical activity. An additional symptom of the disease may be loud wheezing, which increases during exertion, for example during a faster walk or when climbing stairs.

"COPD is an extremely treacherous disease - warns prof. Jan Zieliński, pneumonologist, coordinator of the "Deep Breath" program

- In the initial period, the picture of the disease is a spontaneous symptom which usually causes it to go unnoticed, moreover, the symptoms of the disease may last for years and very often only serious lung failure forces the patients to go for medical advice. "

People at risk

The group of people particularly at risk of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease are men and women aged around 40, especially those who smoke. It is they who should pay special attention to any disturbing changes in health.

Report to the doctor when you notice the first symptoms of breathlessness ...

"Sometimes patients think that the worsening of physical exercise tolerance is associated with age," adds Prof. Zieliński. "Meanwhile, it is extremely important to report to the doctor at the time of the first symptoms. There is then a chance to stop the disease. "

SIMPLE HAZARD RECOGNITION TESTCOPD

Have you smoked or smoked cigarettes and have completed 40 years?

Yes

No

Do you cough in the morning to "cleanse the lungs"?

Yes

No

Do you feel a lack of breath when running to a bus, tram or going up two floors?

Yes

No

Do you often get cold and cough in winter?

Yes

No

The answer "yes" to at least two questions suggests the possibility of a disease - chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) - emphysema. If you answer "yes" twice - report to your doctor and show him the result of the survey. Probably the doctor will direct you to a spirometry test.

Remember that from previous research it appears that:

♦ 85% of Poles surveyed by TNS OBOP do not know symptoms of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

♦ 85% of Poles surveyed by TNS OBOP do not know symptoms of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), while this disease kills around 2,500,000 million people worldwide every year. Public opinion polls were carried out as part of a nationwide program to build awareness of the risks posed by COPD and the fight against this disease, under the name "Deep Breath".

♦ According to TNS OBOP research, over three-quarters of Poles could not answer the question about COPD symptoms at all. Thus, the majority of Polish society is unable to name even one symptom of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.


The problem of early diagnosisCOPD

"Ignorance of the problem is a consequence of the lack of information about COPD reaching the public.", Says Professor Jan Zieliński, an outstanding specialist - pneumonologist and coordinator of the "Deep Breath" program. "Let's remind that only 6% of our compatriots know the term COPD and only 15% correctly combines the name of the disease with its symptoms. It can be assumed that some of those who declared knowledge of the symptoms of the disease guessed her symptoms. Hearing the term Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, they exchanged symptoms such as cough, difficulty in breathing and fever, symptoms typical of lung diseases in general.

ed.