The breath is missing. It is difficult to offer the body the oxygen it needs. And often the situation is underestimated. For those suffering from Obstructive chronic bronchopneumopathy and bpco, arrive soon with the diagnosis (the subdiagnosis would be around 60%) and following well the therapies is fundamental. Because in doing so you can avoid the worsening and above all the exacerbations or re -exacerbations, of the disease. These are these who lead to the hospital, worsening the painting and also affecting the health expenditure.
To remember, on the occasion of the General States of the prevention held in Naples, Paola Rogliani, elected president of the Italian Society of Pneumology (SIP/IRS) – Association that brings together specialists in the diseases of the respiratory system and represents the national reference point for respiratory medicine.
The weight of the COPD
Obstructive chronic bronchopneumopathy is a respiratory disease characterized by irreversible airway obstructionwith symptoms such as dyspnea, cough and excessive mucus production. Hits 330 million people in the world, resulting the Third cause of death with 3.23 million deaths. The aging of the population and exposure to the main risk factors, including smoke, pollution and pollution and unfavorable environmental and working conditions contribute to the increase in cases.
“The COPD represents One of the main causes of morbidity and mortality in Italywith an estimated prevalence between 5% and 7% in the adult population, increasing with age. It is a chronic and progressive pathology that weighs significantly on the National Health Servicegenerating high direct costs (tied to hospitalizations, drugs and access to the emergency room), and indirect costs deriving from loss of productivity and disabilities. The sub-diagnosis, which in Italy exceeds 60%, contributes to an aggravation of costs, as patients access the treatments in advanced phase, often during severe reliances “
The expert knows.
How the COPD develops
You can breathe badly, you often have cough and sometimes you go to fever, because in the bronchi where mucus thickens bacteria can develop more easily. Which can give rise to repeated infections. This could be the identikit of the COPD which includes two very widespread diseases, especially among the elderly but not only: chronic bronchitis and pulmonary emphysema.
But what happens in the bronchi of those suffering from this pathology? The difficulties in bringing the air out of the lungs and therefore in making it enter some of them, rich in oxygen, recognize two different causal elements. In the case of enfixes the problem is mainly related to progressive Destruction of the pulmonary alveoliwhich represent the anatomical “station” in which exchanges between air and blood occur. In practice it is in the alveolus that the blood leaves carbon dioxide and other toxic substances recovered by the body and recovers the oxygen that will have to reach the whole body. When these “stations” are destroyed, the possibility that this exchange takes place are reduced and consequently the blood circulating in the body is less and less useful.
In the case of chronic bronchitison the other hand, the basic mechanism consists in reduction of the diameter of the airwayswhich leads to an objective difficulty for the air to enter and exit the respiratory tract. If you then think that often these two diseases associate in the same individual, this explains how heavy it is to bear the damage for breathing, and in the end for the whole body.
As the COPD impacts on health
“The COPD involves a progressive impairment of respiratory function, which translates into limitation of physical activity, social isolation and worsening quality of life. Recusements are critical events, which increase the risk of hospitalization and mortality. They compromise clinical stability and accelerate the loss of lung function, aggravating the patient’s conditions”
Report the expert.
Obviously, the prevention There is a pillar in the fight against pathology. The main risk factor remains the smokebut it is also essential to consider environmental pollution, professional exhibitions, and the recurring respiratory infections in childish age.
“Another crucial tool is the vaccination: the flu anti-influence, the anti-pneumococcal and anti-trusses significantly reduce the risk of releasing and respiratory complications, especially in the most vulnerable subjects “
Rogliani says.
How to get to the diagnosis
A early diagnosis allows the timely adoption of therapies, leading to improvements in the quality of life of patients.
“The effective management of the COPD starts from early diagnosisthrough activities of Case Finding, especially in subjects with history of smoke or persistent respiratory symptoms. This requires a close triangulation between general medicine, territorial specialist and hospital, to guarantee a Quick and appropriate access to the diagnostic and therapeutic path. There spirometryIn this sense, it represents an essential tool to confirm the presence of bronchial obstruction early. Acting in the initial stages is essential to improve clinical results and lighten the load on the health system. COPD is a high impact disease, often diagnosed too late. Focusing on prevention, early diagnosis and integrated management is essential to improve the quality of life of patients and reduce healthcare costs. Only a proactive and coordinated approach can effectively contrast this growing health emergency “
Paola Rogliani concluded.
