November 16 every year is World COPD Day. It was established in 2002 to raise awareness and interest in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The World Health Organization (WHO) announced the top 10 causes of death worldwide in 2020, placing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as the third leading cause of death. By 2050, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is expected to become the number one cause of death worldwide.
The situation in our country is not very different. It is a very common disease that affects 1 in 5 adults over the age of 45 and 1 in 3 adults over the age of 65 in Korea. Nevertheless, due to the lack of awareness about chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, most patients do not even know that they are patients. In fact, according to the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, only 2.8% of those who recognized that they were patients went to the hospital after their symptoms worsened. If symptoms such as shortness of breath, phlegm, cough, chest discomfort, or stuffiness persist, it is good to visit a hospital immediately and get a lung function test.
If COPD is diagnosed early and treated aggressively, the mortality rate can be greatly reduced. The following are ‘Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Prevention and Management 7 Life Rules’ suggested by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
1. You must quit smoking
2. Get vaccinated against flu and pneumococcal
3. Avoid indoor and outdoor air pollution
4. Exercise regularly
5. Maintain a proper weight
6. COPD risk group receives pulmonary function test
7. Use prescribed medications correctly
InhalantㅣSource: Getty Image Bank
Know how to use the inhaler correctly
In the case of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease treatment, most of them are prescription drugs, so they must be used after receiving a doctor’s prescription. In most cases, inhaled medications are used rather than oral medications. This is because it is effective and has few side effects. In the case of inhaled drugs, the drug dose is very small compared to oral drugs, and the effect does not appear if it is not used properly. Therefore, if you use it in the form of an inhaler, you should use it after thoroughly understanding the characteristics and usage of each type.
Portable inhalers used for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are divided into ‘metered dose inhalers’ and ‘dry powder inhalants’ according to the inhalation container. It is important to exhale fully before using any inhaler, then inhale the drug and hold your breath for about 5 to 10 seconds. At this time, since the drug is rapidly sprayed into the body, the metered-dose inhaler should exhale sufficiently before spraying, close the gap by biting the area around the inhaler, and inhale deeply while spraying. For dry powder inhalers, the drug is inhaled into the body by the patient’s breath, so inhale deeply after exhaling sufficiently, and do not exhale into the container.
Inhaler, even if side effects appear, the side effects disappear when treatment is stopped
Inhalants are divided into ‘disease control agents’ that continuously control symptoms such as shortness of breath and prevent them from worsening, and ‘symptom relievers’ that are emergency medications that expand narrowed airways in a short time. Disease control agents include beta 2 agonists and anticholinergics that expand narrowed airway muscles, and inhaled corticosteroids that relieve inflammation in the lungs. Symptom relievers include short-acting beta 2 agonists and short-acting anticholinergics that rapidly improve symptoms such as dyspnea.
As a side effect of beta2 agonists, shaking of the hands may occur, and it may occur more commonly with age. Hypokalemia may also occur, more commonly when diuretics are used concomitantly. A common side effect of anticholinergics is dry mouth. In addition, it can cause difficulty urinating or increase intraocular pressure, so glaucoma patients should be careful. Short-acting anticholinergics may complain of a bitter or metallic taste. Side effects of inhaled steroids include fungal infections in the mouth, hoarseness, and increased risk of pneumonia.
SmokingㅣSource: Getty Image Bank
80% of COPD is related to smoking
Tobacco and tobacco smoke components are harmful substances including carcinogens, and 80% of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients are caused by smoking. Therefore, smoking cessation is the surest way to prevent the occurrence of COPD, stop disease progression and acute exacerbations, and reduce mortality.
Combining drug treatment and counseling increases the success rate of smoking cessation attempts, so it is good to consult with an expert for help. Counseling is known to be more effective the more times you practice it. Visit the smoking cessation clinic of each local public health center or hospital, call the smoking cessation hotline (☎1544-9030), or visit the smoking cessation guide internet website (http://www.nosmokeguide.or.kr) and other services are available.
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