KARACHI: Awareness of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is low in Pakistan even though an estimated 10 per cent of Pakistanis above the age of 40 suffer from it, said experts at a seminar organized to commemorate World COPD at Aga Khan University here on Tuesday.

‘People at risk need to know what the disease feels like so that they can get tested and start treatment as soon as possible,’ said Dr Ali Zubairi, Associate Professor, Aga Khan University (AKU) at the awareness programme.

The event was organized by the Section of Pulmonology and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, AKU in collaboration with the National Alliance for Tobacco Control, World Health Organization Pakistan and Pakistan Chest Society.

COPD, more commonly known as chronic bronchitis or emphysema is a serious lung disease where airways become narrowed, leading to a limited flow of air to and from the lungs.

In contrast to asthma, the limitation of airflow is usually not reversible and gets progressively worse over time. COPD affects more than 340 million people worldwide and represents the fourth leading cause of death after heart attack, stroke and pneumonia.

In Pakistan, many people go undiagnosed, and untreated, even though they have recognizable symptoms such as a chronic cough (often called a smokers’ cough) or become short of breath after the slightest exertion.

A smoker’s cough is an early sign of COPD, but most smokers do not notice it and visit their doctors very late, when severe damage to lungs has already been done.

‘Those most at risk are people over the age of 40 and chain smokers who should take a simple breathing test called spirometry to help diagnose the disease at an early stage,’ said Dr Javed Hussain, Assistant Professor, Section Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, AKU.

The test involves measuring the amount of air you can blow out and can accurately diagnose and measure people with COPD.

Stressing on the importance of early detection, Dr Nisar Rao from the Ojha Institute of Chest Diseases, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi said that many treatments are available that can prevent further lung deterioration and improve the quality of life for patients with COPD.

‘Smoking even one to four cigarettes a day for a few years is sufficient to cause irreversible damage to the lungs,’ said Professor Javaid Khan, Chair, National Alliance for Tobacco Control (NATC) and Head, Section of Pulmonary Diseases, AKU.

If regular smokers recognize that they have COPD, they should seek medical advice to give up smoking. The easiest way to avoid the affliction, however, is to not smoke in the first place.

Aside from smoking, COPD can also occur from exposure to second-hand smoke.
Smoke from indoor cooking stoves using wood and charcoal as a fuel, is a major cause of lung diseases among women living in the rural areas.

Dr Nawal Salahuddin, Associate Professor, AKU urged the government to take measures to educate the public on the impact of poor quality air on health.

Awareness and knowledge about COPD and particularly among those at risk, is key to diagnosis and management of the disease, said the speakers. —APP