Dr Abdul Razak explaining on COPD symptoms By Ravichandran D.J Paul
KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama) — Getting up in the mornings, showering and getting ready to work is just routine for most people yet there are those who literally find that they are out of breath to start the day.
These people are literally squeezed of their life by shortness of breath. They find it difficult to both inhale and exhale.
And to get a feel of their problem, all one has to do is breathe holding a short straw in the mouth with the nose pinched while taking a short walk. The straw represents the narrowed airways, that decreases the lung capacity and causes a tight feel of the chest. So imagine breathing like this every morning!
It is estimated that up to 500,000 Malaysians are suffering from this condition known as COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) or COLD (Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease). The actual figure is probably much higher as many Malaysians remain undiagnosed or the problem is mistaken for Asthma as the symptoms are similar.
During the recent launch of Novartis’ once daily long acting therapy Seebri Breezhaler, a bronchodilator (glycopyrronium bromide), a senior chest consultant physician said the COPD is literally a ‘lung attack’ that affects one’s quality of life, with the morning symptoms prevailing throughout the day.
Datuk Dr Abdul Razak Abdul Muttalif, who is also the director of the Institute of Respiratory Medicine noted that unlike Asthma those who suffered from this condition were mostly in the above 30 age group.
These lung attacks cause more damage to the lungs and eventually could lead to mortality.
THE GENESIS AND SYMPTOMS OF A LUNG ATTACK
COPD is not a congenital condition, so how does this problem develop in a person?
As for Dr Abdul Razak, it all has to do with the air one breathes in daily. Inhaling polluted air indoors and outdoors, cigarette smoke and secondhand smoke and smoke from burning biomass gases, including from gas stove in the kitchen, over a period of time leads to COPD.
The polluted air carries irritants that cause an inflammatory response in the lungs resulting in narrowing of the small airways and breakdown of lung tissues, leading to a condition known as emphysema.
Those inflicted with this condition suffer from chronically poor airflow in the lungs, leading to symptoms like shortness of breath, cough, and uncontrolled sputum production. It is not only difficult to inhale, but also exhale therefore causing air build up in the lungs.
Dr Abdul Razak pointed out a study conducted in Penang pointed out COPD was prevalent among cigarette smokers in Malaysia.
It is estimated that 20 percent of the smokers bound to end up with ‘lung attack’ in their later years.
Having said that, it has been established that people with chronic bronchitis too end up with COPD.
POLLUTED AIR MEANS GREATER VULNERABILITY
Dr Abdul Razak said that Malaysians have taken for granted the air that they breathe in.
The learnt doctor had observed during his service in Terengganu how the ‘keropok lekor’ makers who day in day out inhaled the smoke from wood fire, oblivious to the effect the smoke had on their lungs.
The same goes to the satay sellers and cigarette smokers throughout the country who are exposed to smoke for long durations every day.
Cooking too poses hazard including the so called clean smoke from bio gas that is equally noxious to the lungs. He pointed out in countries like India where bio gas is widely used, up to 30 million women suffer from COPD or symptoms related to COPD.
Dr Abdul Razak pointed out as increasingly more Malaysians move into high rise dwellings where ventilation is limited, cooking could prove to be hazardous. Thus ensuring good ventilation at homes is important.
Secondhand smoke too poses risk and should be avoided. The recurring haze episodes too cannot be taken lightly, as it is polluted air and thus its only proper to use face mask while at outdoors during haze.
THE CONSEQUENCES OF COPD
COPD is literally a debilitating disease, with the symptoms that appear in the mornings affecting one’s daily routines and productivity until the day ends.
Those with the problem often end up late to work, find it hard to go up and down the stairs, have difficulty in concentrating or making their breakfast or even do their marketing.
Also exacerbations may occur on the ‘routine’ respiratory symptoms, where the symptoms suddenly become more severe. Exacerbations are often due infections and one may have to change medication to manage with the symptoms.
COPD symptoms are also more prevalent in the older age group with more than 50 percent of those affected by the problem in the above 50 age group.
With the rise in the greying population in Malaysia, the mortality rate due to COPD is also rising and is expected to become the number three killer after, cancer and cardiovascular diseases.
THE REMEDY
The best diagnostic approach for COPD is through Spirometry, where the airflow in the airways is measured for signs of obstruction.
Now can those suffering from COPD get cured?
As for Dr Abdul Razak though COPD like Asthma is a chronic pulmonary disease, it is treatable but not curable.
The treatment for COPD involve bronchodialators, that usually come in the form of powder administered through an inhaler with the effects lasting from 4-24 hours.
The bronchodialators, help to relax the muscle tone around the airways leading to the dilation of bronchial tubes making it easier to inhale and exhale.
He said the bronchodialators help in managing with the symptoms and getting on with daily life. Through bronchodialators those with COPD could even exert themselves to some extent.
However, preventive approach is something very much advocated by Dr Abdul Razak.
He believes in living in a clean and well ventilated place, taking precautions against smoke and polluted air, and leading a healthy lifestyle that includes doing away with the smoking habit.
— BERNAMA