Know Your Lung Function, it’s World COPD Day

Living with COPD, or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, can be challenging in many aspects of daily life. The condition can make it hard for patients to breathe, affecting their ability to perform physical tasks like exercising, climbing stairs, or doing heavy lifting and can have consequences for their mental health and well-being.

COPD can also put a strain on the lifestyle of patients, as they depend on medication and medical equipment – e.g. nebulizers and/or inhalers – to manage symptoms and need frequent visits to check on their health status.

World COPD Day is here

World COPD Day is celebrated on 20th November to raise awareness, share knowledge, and discuss ways to reduce the burden of COPD worldwide. Organized by the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease, or GOLD, the Day is a chance to educate oneself on the impact of COPD on daily life.

In this article, we will explore the many aspects of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, how to identify it, and how spirometry can help manage the condition.

What is COPD

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, COPD, is a chronic lung condition in which lung inflammation can cause obstructions in the airways, making it difficult for a patient to breathe.

COPD includes two main conditions:

1. Chronic Bronchitis, a persistent inflammation of the lining of the bronchial tubes that leads to coughing and mucus production.
2. Emphysema, a condition in which the air sacs in the lungs, or alveoli, are severely damaged, reducing the lungs' ability to transfer oxygen to the bloodstream.

Regardless of the underlying issue, the condition is progressive, meaning it tends to worsen over time. That is why early diagnosis and proper management are crucial to ensuring a better quality of life for the patients.

Causes and symptoms of COPD

COPD can be due to different causes, ranging from environmental to genetic factors, the most common being:

• Smoking, the most common cause of COPD and highly related to alveoli damage
• Environmental exposure. Long-term exposure to air pollution, dust, and chemicals can lead to chronic inflammation of the airways
• Genetic predisposition. A family history of COPD can suggest a genetic predisposition, most often related to a deficiency in the protein Alpha-1 Antitrypsin

Common symptoms of COPD include shortness of breath, cough, mucus production, wheezing, and chest tightness. Frequent respiratory infections may also be a wake-up call suggesting underlying functional issues.

Diagnosis of COPD

COPD can be diagnosed using several different tests, such as chest X-rays, CT scans, and lab tests, though spirometry remains the most commonly used method of identifying obstructive patterns in a patient’s lung function.

The test will measure the following parameters:

• FEV1, Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 Second, or the volume of air a patient is able to breathe out in 1 second
• FVC, Forced VitalCapacity, or the total amount of air a patient can breathe out in a single breath
• FEV1/FVC ratio

If FEV1 is significantly lower than FVC, that may be an indicator of obstructions that make it difficult for the air to move through the lungs.

The role of spirometry in the management of COPD

The 2024 theme for World COPD Day is “Know Your Lung Function", which aims to highlight the importance of keeping track of lung health throughout life.

In this scenario, spirometry is a crucial tool in both diagnosing and managing COPD, as it provides an objective measurement of a patient’s pulmonary health status and helps monitor the effectiveness of treatment as well as track progression and identify exacerbations.

Here’s how it aids in COPD management:

1. Assessing lung function. In COPD, spirometry helps identify the severity of the airway obstruction, establish a baseline, and understand the severity of COPD so that physicians can tailor treatments based on the stage of the disease
2. Monitoring disease progression. By tracking lung function changes and comparing results over time, physicians can determine if the disease is stable, worsening, or responding to treatments
3. Detecting complications. Spirometry can help detect sudden declines in lung function, prompting interventions like medication adjustments or hospitalization to prevent further damage
4. Assessing the efficacy of treatments. Spirometry results can show if medications are improving lung function, helping doctors refine treatment plans

Check your lung function now

Though living with COPD can be extremely challenging, tailored treatments and lifestyle adjustments can help people manage symptoms, reduce flare-ups, and improve their quality of life.

World COPD Day is an opportunity to take an active role in preventing pulmonary issues by adjusting one’s lifestyle and taking regular screenings.