The doctor of Cinfa Julio Maset has reiterated that exposure to tobacco smoke constitutes "the main cause" of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). For this reason, he insists that the "most important measure" to prevent the onset of this ailment or prevent it from progressing is to completely abandon the smoking habit, both conventional tobacco and electronic cigarettes.
"By only avoiding exposure to the irritating substances that tobacco contains, a person with COPD can give their lungs a chance, avoid drastic measures such as resorting to oxygen canisters to breathe, and, above all, enjoy a good quality of life," the specialist has emphasized.
World COPD Day is observed on Wednesday, November 18, and puts the spotlight on this set of conditions, among which chronic bronchitis and emphysema are included, characterized by progressive breathing difficulty. Data from the 'Episcan II' study indicate that 12 percent of people over 40 years old in Spain have this disease, which continues to be one of the most underdiagnosed within the respiratory field.
Maset has warned that more and more cases are being diagnosed in young people and women, and has recalled that tobacco smoke affects both active smokers and those who inhale it passively. In addition, he has noted that COPD can also be related to continued exposure to environmental pollution and other irritants present in the air, such as dust or certain chemical compounds.
Among the most frequent symptoms, the doctor cites the feeling of breathlessness that worsens with physical effort, cough with mucus, wheezing and noises when breathing, tiredness, apathy, and an increased susceptibility to acute respiratory infections. As he explains, these manifestations are usually discreet at the beginning, which leads many people to downplay them and delay consulting a doctor.
"Without treatment, the disease progresses, symptoms worsen, and damage to the bronchi and lungs increases. Often, COPD is detected only in already advanced stages, which prevents early management of the ailment that could have prevented its worsening," he has warned.
The specialist warns that this delay in diagnosis increases the risk of complications such as heart problems, pneumonias and other respiratory infections, malnutrition, sleep disturbances and depression. "Although COPD has no cure, those other conditions can be prevented with an early diagnosis, which is obtained with a test as simple as spirometry and which makes it possible to start a treatment that relieves symptoms and stops or slows their progression," Maset has stated.
The pharmacological approach is usually based on bronchodilators, which reduce coughing and the feeling of shortness of breath by relaxing the airways, along with inhaled corticosteroids.
Vaccination and prevention against infections
As for prevention, the doctor emphasizes the desirability of people with COPD getting vaccinated to reduce the risk of respiratory infections such as flu, pneumonia or Covid-19. Likewise, he recommends limiting close and prolonged contact with sick people and using a mask and disinfectant gel in crowded settings.
He also reminds that cold temperatures can trigger spasms in the bronchi and worsen breathing difficulty, which is why he advises covering the mouth and nose when it is cold.
Among the breathing guidelines that he suggests, Maset indicates that it is useful to purse the lips when inhaling and exhaling when a feeling of suffocation appears, especially during activities that require greater effort. In addition, he describes a simple exercise: to inhale deeply through the nose counting to two, and then to slowly exhale the air through the mouth, with the lips slightly pursed, repeating it several times a day.
Other recommended everyday habits include regular practice of adapted exercise, a balanced diet avoiding meals that are too copious, and adequate hydration. To sleep better, he proposes raising the upper part of the body from the waist, which can make breathing easier and improve night-time rest.
Maset emphasizes that COPD, by limiting daily activities and conditioning family and social life, can affect mental health in a notable way. For this reason, he encourages seeking support from the immediate environment and, if needed, turning to a psychologist or to support groups with other patients.
"Let yourself be helped by professionals, make sure you follow the indicated treatment correctly, learn to identify flare-ups early, go to your appointments and incorporate the recommended changes", he stressed, insisting that, in the event of any worsening of the symptoms, it is essential to consult a doctor quickly.