COPD is short for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It’s a lung disease which is characterized by inflammation and obstruction of the bronchi. It reduces respiratory capacity. The first sign can be shortness of breath that sets in gradually.
In its beginnings, it is not always noticeable because people tend to adapt their activities so as not to feel respiratory discomfort. For other people, it’s coughing and spitting. Having these symptoms for more than three months a year, or two years in a row, is not normal.
La BPCO affects at least 3.5 to 4 million people in France. Both women and men. It’s a lot. It is the most common chronic respiratory disease, before asthma! But it is estimated that more than two-thirds of patients are undiagnosed.
A common yet poorly understood disease
Patients often underestimate their symptoms because the majority of them are smokers. In fact, tobacco is involved in 85% of cases of COPD. Otherwise, it could come from other toxic substances that we breathe, such as pollution. People cough and spit a little in the morning to evacuate the excess mucus secreted by their inflamed bronchi, but they tend to trivialize this, because they think it is normal when smoking.
However, as Dr Frédéric Le Guillou, pulmonologist and president of the Santé respiratory France association, pointed out to me, “it can be the start of COPD. Likewise, bronchitis which recurs two or three times a year and who have difficulty healing must alert.”
How is COPD diagnosed?
According to the specialist, “anyone who smokes, who frequently coughs and spits, or who feels short of breath due to the efforts of daily life should consult a doctor.” The diagnosis of COPD is made with a breath measurement. A complete assessment of respiratory function makes it possible to estimate the severity of bronchial damage. There are several stages of the disease. The earlier we detect it, the better.
Support is based on several pillars. The most important thing is to stop smoking. Of all forms of tobacco and also cannabis. A joint is the equivalent of 7 to 8 cigarettes in terms of toxicity for the respiratory system! And shisha is the equivalent of 2 packs of cigarettes in toxicity!
Smoking cessation helps stabilize the disease, cough less, and avoid respiratory complications. Do not hesitate to seek help and call 3989, the Tabac info service number, which allows you to speak to a tobacco specialist free of charge.
Regular and appropriate physical activity is recommended because it has positive effects on respiratory capacities and improves general physical condition. Medicines called bronchodilators may be prescribed to open the bronchi. Finally, it is also important to be vaccinated against flu, whooping cough, Covid-19 and pneumococcus because these infections can worsen COPD.
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