Around 800,000 patients in Belgium suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a widespread and progressive lung disease.
However, this is only the tip of the iceberg, as many cases go undiagnosed, St Francis Hospital in Heusden-Zolder (Limburg) underlines on Wednesday on the occasion of World COPD Day .
A “cycling challenge” was organized there and, during a four-hour relay race, 48 patients and nurses covered nearly 250 kilometers. Visitors and patients were also able to have their lung function measured and experience what it’s like to breathe like a person with COPD.
Climb the stairs or breathe
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a disease that damages the lungs. The patient therefore has less oxygen, has more difficulty breathing and is more often tired.. “We only realize the seriousness of this disease when we ourselves run out of steam in everyday life”testifies Jean-Paulo Laginestra, an affected patient. “You feel that it becomes more difficult to climb the stairs and breathe”he illustrates.
“Inflammation of the airways is caused by substances we breathe. Smoking is the main cause”explains Dr Tanja Kluyt of St Francis Hospital.
The disease is largely incurable. However, much can be done to combat it and limit lung damage and symptoms. For example, early diagnosis is essential to preserve lung function for as long as possible.
health lung disease chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Belgium
