"Strict measures should be taken for the implementation of Clean Air Laws in the country," said Professor Javaid Khan, Head of Section of Pulmonology and Critical Care Medicine at Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH). He was speaking at a programme organised by AKUH's Continuing Medical Education (CME) to commemorate the sixth annual World COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) Day at Aga Khan University.
Professor Khan cited high risk factors as cigarette smoking, dust and chemicals encountered on the job and called for all public places to be free of tobacco smoke, as passive smoking is a proven risk factor for lung cancer, heart attacks and several other fatal diseases.
Dr Muhammad Irfan, Consultant Chest Physician at AKUH said that COPD is a devastating lung disease that progressively robs sufferers of breath. COPD, according to WHO figures, is the fourth leading cause of death world-wide, on par with HIV/AIDS. More than 3 million people die from the disease each year, and up to 10 percent of adults over age 40 world-wide may have it. Considering the high smoking rate in our country, it can be assumed that Pakistan has a heavy burden of this disease.
The estimated COPD death rate in Pakistan is 71 deaths per 100,000 population, the fourth highest death rate among the world's 25 most populous nations. Early symptoms of COPD, which include coughing, bringing up sputum, and breathlessness during exercise or exertion were outlined by Dr Nawal Salahuddin, Associate Professor and Consultant Pulmonologist at AKUH.
She cautioned that without treatment, COPD is generally a progressive disease, and as the disease gets worse patients become breathless during normal everyday activities. A simple, painless breathing test called spirometry can confirm whether a person has COPD.
Dr Javed Husain, Consultant Chest Physician at AKUH, said that treatment is most effective when the disease is diagnosed early. In addition to medical consultation, COPD patients should help themselves by strictly following the doctor's prescription and recommended activities. Further, friends and family can help by ensuring that COPD patients eat a variety of healthy foods, join them in a walk or other gentle exercise.
AKUH's Assistant Professor and Consultant Pulmonologist, Dr Suleman Haque discussed the role of various medicines currently available in the country, which can help the patient in giving up smoking.
A discussion on the use of inhalers and nebulizers by Dr Shereen Khan, Fellow at AKUH's Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, brought the programme to a close. The discussion was accompanied by a practical demonstration.
For the benefit of referring physicians and their patients, AKU regularly organises Continued Medical Education seminars and workshops. These programmes are designed to provide a current, practical update on the management of medical problems faced by primary care physicians and specialists.-PR
Comments
Comments are closed.