Breathe Easy: Unveiling COPD's Impact on Individual Health and How to Navigate it

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, commonly known as COPD, is a term that describes progressive lung diseases caused due to long term inflammation. It is progressive condition as the symptoms tend to worsen over time and there is also progressive damage on the lungs. It consists of two main respiratory disorder, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema, both causing difficulty of airflow into the patient and also build up of CO2 in the body. COPD symptoms include coughing up mucus (sputum), sometimes with phlegm, problems with breathing, wheezing, and fatigue.

India has one of the highest prevalence of COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) globally. According to the Lancet Respiratory Medicine report, the number had increased from 28.1 million in the 1990s to 55.3 million in 2016. India contributes significantly to the morbidity and mortality of COPD in the world, with 3% of India’s disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) is recorded due to chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs), according to Indian Study on Epidemiology of Asthma, Respiratory Symptoms and Chronic Bronchitis in Adults (INSEARCH). It is important to note and understand that COPD is the biggest contributor to CRDs. According to several studies, COPD’s economic burden is over 48,000 crores annually, which is far more than the annual budget of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW) for the year 2010-2011.

The most common risk factors for COPD are tobacco smoking and exposure to biomass fuel in our country. Individuals with COPD are also likely to experience episodes called exacerbations which may be triggered by adverse environmental factors such as air pollution. The symptoms include chest tightness, fatigue, shortness of breath, wheezing and frequent respiratory infections. Seasonal changes, allergies, air pollution, colds, and influenza may contribute to COPD flare-ups.

COPD hamper the health and productivity of the patient and impacts their surroundings and close family, thus impacting the quality of life of a vast number of individuals. Given the enormous health burden COPD imposes, there is a need for an awareness campaign to educate people about the causes and consequences of COPD.

Despite its progressive nature, COPD is manageable with appropriate treatment and early intervention, which can lead to improved quality of life, symptom control, and a lower chance of developing related health issues. Pulmonary Function Tests are available for patients to take, showing how well their airways are functioning.

Although COPD is irreversible, with proper management of the symptoms and timely medical intervention, the quality of life can be improved and can also reduce the risk of other associated diseases, such as cardiovascular ailments and lung cancer. COPD can be managed by proper medications like bronchodilators, oxygen therapy, breathing exercises, quitting smoking and a good diet. Acute exacerbations of COPD cases (AECOPD) need medical intervention and can be controlled by using Non-Invasive Ventilation (NIV) therapy and Long term Oxygen Therapy (LTOT) after oxygen therapy during hospitalization is conducted.

According to the Indian Chest Society guidelines, NIVs should be used early in the management of respiratory failure and AECOPD cases. Even as per the American Thoracic Society 2020 guidelines and the European Respiratory Society guidelines, NIVs should be implemented shortly after hospitalization in AECOPD cases in addition to the usual care of patients. COPD is a rising public health concern in India. Its use is associated with reduced intubation rates, reduced length of hospital stays, and a decline in mortality.

Outlined below are strategies for better managing COPD:

1. Medications for breathing betterEffective treatment with bronchodilators are available and are quite often prescribed by treating physicians.
2. Breathing exercisesUsing breathing methods for COPD patients can improve their oxygen intake, respiratory endurance, and comfort while breathing. The capacity of the body to use oxygen would improve and would ease the COPD symptoms.
3. Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) therapyThe ability to breathe may become much simpler for those receiving NIV therapy. NIV therapy works similarly to CPAP in that it uses a machine to provide air through a mask and tube to facilitate breathing. ResMed offers non-invasive ventilation (NIV) and other mechanical ventilation options that are customized to meet the requirements of patients with COPD, whether they are receiving care at home or in a hospital. By lowering the frequency of hospital stays and mortality risk, these interventions can improve the patient’s quality of life.
4. Keep away from smokingSmoking is an important component of COPD. Consequently, quitting smoking entirely is the first step for smokers, as it can help keep COPD from getting worse. Additionally, it is a good idea to avoid being around second hand smoke.
5. Oxygen therapy or VaccinationsLong term oxygen therapy is often prescribed for COPD patients. Additionally, for COPD patients to maintain maximum mobility and health and to enhance their resistance against lung infections, the WHO recommends flu and pneumonia vaccinations.

Action and education combined would benefit people by lowering the number of COPD patients and the disease’s mortality rate. There is a growing need for easily accessible diagnostic and monitoring tools to support the early detection of COPD in a country such as India. People should be proactive in learning how to identify symptoms at an early stage so that risk factors can be reduced through preventive measures.