Know your Lung Health

Hope you all remember the thought provoking post on COPD which was posted on the COPD day (November 17th, 2010).

We at Frontier Lifeline, conducted free Spirometry test for the World COPD Day at Frontier Lifeline Hospital, Mogappair on November 17 & 18, 2010. A team of specialists and doctors led by Dr. Madhu, Pulmonologist Frontier Lifeline conducted free spirometry test for the general public in sync with the theme of this year’s World COPD Day theme “Know your Lung health”.

Dr. Madhu, Consultant Pulmonologist, supervising while a registrant undergoes the Spirometry test

First day saw close to 60 participants who registered previously and got the tests done from 9 AM to 5 PM. Besides, the doctors also explained the importance of maintaining lung health, cardiac health and created awareness about COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease).

The participants were taken through systematic process of checkups by the nurses and Physician Assistants of the hospital. Finally, they went through Spirometry tests. The participants were consulted by pulmonologists based on the results of the test.  The doctors explained the importance of treating this disease at the early stage due to its progressive nature. Educative reading materials were also handed out to the registrants.

The registrants were largely from the age group 40-80 and at least 80% of them had a history of smoking. The registrants were worried about their lung function and some of them were quiet relieved to learn that their results were normal.

At least 60% of them were diagnosed with abnormalities. They consulted with our pulmonologists and had begun their treatment. The workshop helped in beginning the management of disease at an early stage.

One of the registrants, Mr. Ramanathan, aged 70, said “I have been smoking for over 30 years and I have also undergone a bypass surgery. I was naturally worried about my lung health and hence came to take the tests. Though I have quit smoking, I still have breathing problems. I have consulted with the doctors and will begin my treatment soon.”

Though the tests were basically to diagnose COPD, some of the patients were also diagnosed with Pneumonia, Bronchial Asthma and other lung disorders.

Dr. Madhu K., Consultant Pulmonologist in our hospital said, “It was great to see people being conscious about their health and well being. The day saw many people including children, house hold women getting consulted for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.”

Due to the overwhelming response from the participants,we extended the activity for one more day.

Below are some of the articles that appeared in the media:

The Hindu: http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Chennai/article894335.ece

The Times of India: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Smoking-is-not-the-sole-cause-of-smokers-disease/articleshow/6951217.cms

 

Lifeline conducted free Spirometry test for the World COPD Day at Frontier Lifeline Hospital, Mogappair on November 17 & 18, 2010. A team of specialists and doctors led by Dr. Madhu, Pulmonologist

COPD: What, How and Why?

Does the term COPD sound familiar to you? Do you smoke? Are you subjected to passive smoking? Have you ever read about the air quality levels in your metro? No?

Here are eight things  you need to know!

1. So what is COPD? It sounds Greek and Latin to me

COPD in medical terms is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. In simple terms, your airways to your lungs get narrowed. As the airways are obstructed, you get shortness of breath

2. Why is it dangerous?

Due to breathlessness and lack of secretions, the lung tissues will get affected in the long run. There is a 80% chance for COPD patient to be affected by Lung cancer. In fact, COPD is the 6^th leading cause of death in the world and will become the 4^th leading cause of death by 2030. It’s currently the 4^th leading cause of death in US

Pic Courtesy:www.nursingcrib.com

3. What are the main causes for this disease?

Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of COPD in the world. More than 80% of the patients in US are cigarette smokers. In India, 5 % of the adults are affected by COPD.  The main causes for this disease in India are smoking and tobacco usage

4. But I don’t smoke; hope I will not get affected by COPD?

There was research conducted in 2007 among slum dwellers in Pune and over 50 % of the non-smokers were affected by COPD. There are other reasons for people getting affected with COPD. It includes air pollution; occupational exposures like mining, construction, welding, passive smoking, wood smoking, and even long exposures to dust may cause COPD. Dr Madhu, Pulmonologist from Frontier Lifeline adds “Most often, there are traces of black spots on every Indian’s lungs, whether smoker or a non-smoker. Much of this is due to poor air quality. Smokers are definitely at a greater risk”

5. What are the symptoms for the disease?

• Long history of smoking
• Consistent cough and excessive sputum production
• Shortness of breath during normal conditions
• Limitation of airflow to the lungs
• Rapid breathing
• Wheezing sounds and enlargement of the chest

Advanced COPD patients may even have direct respiratory failure, which is quite dangerous. But the most common symptom is shortness of breath. Have yourself tested, if you observe the above symptoms

6. So how can we test for COPD?

The most usual test to diagnose COPD is through Spirometry – a test that measures breathing. A few advanced methods like Chest Tomography can also be made for COPD. But a basic Spriometry test will diagnose the presence of COPD

Pic Courtesy: NY Times

7. Our medical methods are advanced. I hope there is some cure for this disease?

The disease is not curable. In terminal stages, lung transplant is the only option. You can either prevent or treat for COPD not cure it. The cost of treating the disease is quite high and spending in India is unknown. So for a country like India, preventing the disease is more important than treating the patients There are more than 250 Million tobacco users in India (according to WHO) and they are prone to COPD more than anybody else. Creating awareness is the need of the hour.

8. How to prevent COPD?

• Creating awareness against smoking and helping people to rehabilitate from smoking addiction
• Creating awareness about air pollution and strict enactment of pollution laws
• Poor people who work in the mines, construction sites etc., are the most prone to such diseases and providing them better living conditions will help in preventing the disease

Today is World COPD Day; share this article with your friend who you think could be prone to this disease. Frontier Lifeline is conducting free Spirometry test and pulmonary consultation for people registering for the same on 17^th Nov 2010. Spread the for those for whom it would be helpful

You can also check our blog posts on Lung Carcinoma and Why you should quit smoking