Studies carried out in the US and Philippines have revealed that the current times have witnessed an alarming rise in the cases of COPD, or Chronic Obstruction Pulmonary Disease, and it might just become one of the top killer diseases if the rate of growth continues.
Dr. Mervin Marcos, Pulmonologist and Member of the Philippine College of Chest Physicians-Southern Mindanao, has shared that looking at the results of the American study, one is forced to conclude that at the current rate, COPD might just dislodge cardiovascular diseases as the top 5th or 6th killer condition.
COPD, which has symptoms similar to that of asthma, has cigarette smoking and exposure to air pollutant as its major causes, which are medically described as "constant exposure to noxious stimuli causing injury to the lungs". The affected person experiences bouts of coughing which refuse to go away and shortness of breath. A Spirometry Test is undertaken to determine if the condition is actually COPD.
Researchers are asserting that prevention is better than cure and in order to cut the risk of the condition, people need to quit smoking as soon as possible. Most of the patients might ignore COPD symptoms as regular coughing, but experts are now strongly recommending going to a doctor as soon as any symptoms are experienced, especially in people who smoke.