বিশ্ব সিওপিডি দিবস ২০২৩: যখন আমরা শ্বাস নিই, আমরা আশা রাখব

Imagine a world where you can breathe freely and easily, without any pain or discomfort. Unfortunately, for millions of people around the world, this is not the reality.

According to the latest estimates, over 480 million people have COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) globally, making it the third deadliest disease in the world. COPD is closely linked to the quality of the air we breathe. World COPD Day is celebrated globally on November 18. The theme for this year is "Breathing is Life — Act Earlier".

Understanding COPD and Avoiding the Risk Factors

COPD is a group of lung diseases that cause breathing problems, shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, and chest tightness. It can also increase the risk of heart disease, lung cancer, depression, and osteoporosis.

COPD is often caused by multiple factors including smoking, air pollution, occupational exposure, asthma, childhood infections, and genetics. COPD often develops slowly and may not cause noticeable symptoms until it is advanced.

Acting Earlier for COPD

Acting earlier for COPD benefits not only you personally, but also society and the environment. Key steps include:

• Preventing early risk factors such as smoking, air pollution, and occupational hazards.
• Monitoring lung health from birth, especially for those with a family history of COPD or other lung diseases.
• Understanding your genetic predispositions and taking proactive measures for prevention and management.
• Diagnosing COPD in a precursor state (pre-COPD or PRISm) to enable earlier intervention.
• Providing treatment promptly to improve lung function, reduce symptoms, and enhance quality of life.

Breathing is life, and COPD can take away your breath. But you can act earlier to prevent and treat COPD, and to breathe better and live longer.