Bach Mai Hospital expert: Don't ignore shortness of breath and chronic cough, think about COPD

BACH MAI HOSPITAL organizes free screening for people with symptoms of shortness of breath and chronic cough. COPD is a serious lung disease that can be prevented and treated early. Come visit and protect your lung health today!

On November 15-16, at Bach Mai Hospital, doctors from the Respiratory Center organized a program to examine, screen, consult, and test lung function for people in high-risk groups: people over 40 years old, who smoke cigarettes, tobacco, are regularly exposed to dust, coal stoves, polluted environments, and have symptoms of cough, phlegm, and prolonged shortness of breath... to screen and detect early bronchial asthma and COPD.

Program to respond to World Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease Day and raise public awareness.

Associate Professor, Dr. Vu Van Giap - Deputy Director of Bach Mai Hospital examined and screened people at the program.

Most COPD and asthma patients discover the disease when complications have already appeared.

COPD currently affects 4.2% of the population over 40 years of age - the highest rate in the Asia- Pacific region; The prevalence of asthma is 4.1%, but only about 29% of patients receive preventative treatment. Early diagnosis is limited, with only about 35% of COPD and asthma patients being detected before complications appear.

Doctors at the Respiratory Center say that with COPD, the most worrying thing is not just the daily difficulty breathing, but the "acute attacks" - when symptoms flare up violently, the patient must change the treatment regimen, or even be hospitalized in the emergency room.

Lung function testing for people by measuring respiratory function is both to screen and diagnose COPD, and to control lung health throughout life because lung function is also one of the important factors predicting the general health of each person.

According to Associate Professor, Dr. Phan Thu Huong - Director of the Respiratory Center, COPD is a disease that can be prevented and treated early to avoid serious complications. COPD is characterized by a restriction of air into the lungs and the inability to fully recover.

"Limited airflow to the lungs usually progresses slowly and is associated with an abnormal inflammatory response in the lungs caused by harmful particles or gases. Among the high risk factors for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are cigarette smoke, environmental pollution and respiratory infections," said Dr. Phuong.

Many people came to Bach Mai Hospital for screening today - November 15.

Associate Professor, Dr. Phan Thu Phuong said that COPD patients often have acute attacks. Each acute attack is a sign of a serious prognosis. Especially at the time of changing seasons, the weather changes during the day, the air is cold and dry, plus environmental pollution... makes COPD and asthma patients very susceptible to acute attacks, requiring hospitalization, the burden on the patient, family and society is very large.

"Persistent cough, prolonged phlegm, increasing shortness of breath when exerting oneself... are signs that people absolutely should not ignore. In people over 40 years old, with a history of smoking or exposure to dust and smoke, these "seemingly normal" symptoms should be considered COPD and should be examined early" - Associate Professor, Dr. Phan Thu Phuong recommends.

Shortness of breath - think COPD

Associate Professor, Dr. Vu Van Giap - Deputy Director of Bach Mai Hospital said that within the framework of the National Program for Prevention and Control of COPD and Bronchial Asthma, Bach Mai Hospital regularly organizes activities to raise community awareness.

According to Associate Professor Giap, this year's theme is ' Difficulty breathing - think of COPD ' - that is, if you have respiratory symptoms or risk factors, you must think of COPD, go for an early examination, be assigned to do tests, especially measuring respiratory function to diagnose and treat promptly and accurately, improving people's health.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease cannot be cured, but symptoms can be improved by avoiding smoking and exposure to risk factors.

"Stay away from cigarettes, stay away from air pollution and occupational dust, maintain physical activities such as regular exercise or physical therapy to restore lung function and always ensure a healthy diet rich in antioxidants.

People with COPD need to be fully vaccinated, especially against influenza and pneumococcal disease, have regular check-ups and comply with medication to control the disease," Associate Professor, Dr. Vu Van Giap recommended.

Doctors at the Respiratory Center provide consultation, respiratory function examination and medication advice to people who come for examination.

Only 1 of the following signs:

• Shortness of breath;
• Chronic cough or phlegm;
• History of recurrent lower respiratory tract infections;

Or have a history of exposure to risk factors such as: Cigarettes, tobacco (even if quit); Regular exposure to dust, coal stoves, polluted environments; Occupational dust.

Doctors recommend that people should immediately check their respiratory function to prevent chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma - two diseases that are silently threatening the health of Vietnamese people.

In addition to this free examination and screening, on November 22-23 and November 29-30, the Respiratory Center continues to organize free examination and screening for high-risk subjects at the 1st Floor, Examination Department, Building K2 - Bach Mai Hospital (No. 78 Giai Phong, Kim Lien, Hanoi ).

Source: https://suckhoedoisong.vn/chuyen-gia-benh-vien-bach-mai-kho-tho-ho-man-tinh-dung-chu-quan-hay-nghi-den-copd-169251115190431764.htm