Jamshedpur, Nov20: To mark World Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Day, Brahmananda
Narayana Multispeciality Clinic, at Aambagan, Sakchi, Jamshedpur organised a two-day free consultation and screening camp on 19th and 20th November.
The camp was aimed at reaching out to people who showed symptoms such as breathlessness, cough, production of phlegm and tiredness.
The initial screening included basic diagnostic examinations such as Spirometry and consultation with Dr P.A. Deshmukh, Consultant, Chest Physician, Brahmananda Narayana Multispeciality Clinic.
WHO instituted WORLD COPD DAY observed on 20th of November with a primary objective to create awareness amongst the people on this serious ailment.
Commenting about this activity, Dr. P.A. Deshmukh, Consultant, Chest Physician, Brahmananda Narayana Multispeciality Clinic, said, “Recent studies indicate that 25% to 50% of people with clinically significant COPD are not aware of their diseased state.
That is because the early stages of COPD are often unrecognized.” He further added,” Learning about COPD can help you act on time to save your lungs. A simple, painless breathing test, called Spirometry, is a key to reducing the burden of COPD.”
World COPD Day is the primary global awareness campaign on the ailment Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) According to studies, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide, causing more than 3 million deaths every year.
In India, approximately 30 million people are esti- mated to be affected by COPD and half a million die every year. COPD occurs most often in patients who are over the age of 40 and who have a history of exposure to COPD risk factors. Worldwide, the most commonly encountered risk factor for COPD is cigarette smoking.
Other important risk factors include dusts and chemicals encountered on the job and smoke from biomass fuels (such
as coal, wood, and animal dung) burned for cooking and heating in poorly ventilated dwellings, especially in developing countries like India.
Although there is no cure for COPD, treatments are available that alleviate symptoms of breathlessness so that patients can participate more fully in daily life. Patients may be able to slow or even stop the progress of COPD by reducing their exposure to risk factors for the disease.