The silent killer, COPD, these high-risk groups must be careful!

COPD is a common chronic airway disease

Also known as the "Silent Killer"

COPD is a complex disease that is constantly accumulating and has various environmental factors.

The final result of the interaction

So not only the elderly will get sick

Young people can also develop COPD if they are exposed to risk factors

This issue will focus on the high-risk groups for COPD

Smoking, air pollution, recurrent respiratory infections, etc.

May cause chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

High-risk groups are advised to undergo regular lung function tests

And do a good job of self-health management

Better protect lung health

1. These high-risk groups should be careful

1. Smoking

Smoking is the most important environmental risk factor for COPD. Passive smoking (second-hand smoke) may also lead to respiratory symptoms and the occurrence of COPD.

Tobacco contains more than 7,000 chemical substances . Harmful substances invade the trachea, lung function and environment over a long period of time, and even break through the blood barrier and harm other organs. It may not only cause chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, myocardial infarction, leukemia, cancer and other diseases, but may also cause smokers to have a higher proportion of respiratory symptoms and abnormal lung function than non-smokers.

In addition, secondhand smoke may also cause respiratory symptoms and COPD, and the risk is higher with long-term exposure to cigarette smoke.

Quitting smoking is currently an effective way to change the prognosis of COPD . Although the lung function lost after quitting smoking is difficult to recover, it can significantly slow down the progressive deterioration of lung function and better benefit from corresponding treatment. For non-smokers, it is important to stay away from the harm of secondhand smoke.

2. Biofuels

Cooking fumes are also an important cause of COPD in non-smoking women.

Exposure to biofuels is an important factor in the development of COPD. Some rural areas still use firewood, crop stalks, wood, animal manure and other biofuels to cook and keep warm. When burning firewood at home, it will produce very thick smoke. If the conditions are not ideal, the smoke contains harmful components such as carbon oxides, sulfur oxides, and nitrogen oxides, which will also irritate the respiratory tract and induce COPD. Cooking fumes are also an important cause of COPD in non-smoking women.

Therefore, when cooking, be sure to turn on the range hood 3-5 minutes earlier, and turn off the range hood 3-5 minutes later after cooking . Clean the stove, change the stove, or increase indoor air circulation (such as opening windows or using exhaust fans, etc.) to improve the harm of biofuel exposure to the human body.

3. Occupational exposure

Occupational exposure refers to long-term contact with harmful substances or exposure to harmful environments during work.

Occupational dust and chemicals include silica, coal dust, cotton dust, smoke, allergens, industrial waste gas and indoor air pollution.

Some types of work have more opportunities to be exposed to dust and chemical fumes. For example, quarry workers are often exposed to large amounts of inhalable silica dust; welders are exposed to large amounts of welding fumes; foundries have a variety of dusts such as silica dust and coal dust, as well as a variety of harmful gas fumes... When the concentration of these substances is too high or workers are exposed for too long, they can lead to the occurrence of COPD.

For people who are occupationally exposed, it is important to understand the types and properties of irritating chemicals they may be exposed to at work, as well as their hazards to the human body, and avoid continuous exposure to potential irritants when conditions permit.

4. Air pollution

Long-term exposure to PM2.5 and nitrogen oxides can accelerate lung function decline in adults and increase the risk of COPD.

Air pollution, typically composed of particulate matter (PM), ozone, nitrogen or sulfur oxides, heavy metals, and other greenhouse gases, is the leading cause of COPD worldwide. Among never-smokers, air pollution is the main known risk factor for COPD . Even in countries with low levels of ambient air pollution, long-term exposure to PM2.5 and nitrogen oxides can significantly impair lung development in children, accelerate lung function decline in adults, and increase the risk of COPD, with those at higher risk for additional risk factors for COPD. Poor air quality caused by air pollution can also increase the risk of acute exacerbations of COPD, hospitalization, and death.

Therefore, reducing indoor and outdoor air pollution is an important method for preventing and managing COPD.

5. Recurrent respiratory infections

Respiratory tract infection is another important factor in the development of COPD, and viral or bacterial infection is a common cause of acute exacerbation of COPD.

People with recurrent respiratory tract infections, such as childhood diseases (such as asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, allergic rhinitis and eczema) that are not effectively controlled, and subsequent persistent pneumonia, cough and sputum symptoms will also affect lung function . If they develop over a long period of time, some conditions related to COPD may also occur.

Therefore, fresh air should be maintained indoors. When the climate changes suddenly, attention should be paid to keeping warm, adding or removing clothes in time, and the indoor temperature should be kept relatively stable to prevent respiratory diseases.

2. Regular lung function screening is recommended for high-risk groups

The diagnosis of COPD is based on comprehensive analysis and differential diagnosis of clinical manifestations, history of exposure to risk factors, and pulmonary function tests.

In many patients, COPD is usually exposed after an acute exacerbation caused by respiratory tract infection. By then, the disease has often progressed to moderate to severe levels, and lung function declines severely.

It is recommended that people with a history of smoking and/or exposure to occupational environmental pollution and biofuels, as well as those with dyspnea or coughing, sputum, and barrel chest should undergo regular lung function tests to ensure early detection and intervention. People over 40 years old are advised to have their lung function checked during their annual routine physical examinations.

At present, pulmonary function tests are the gold standard for diagnosing COPD. Pulmonary function tests, especially ventilation function tests, are objective indicators for judging airflow limitation. They are of great significance for the diagnosis of COPD, severity evaluation, disease progression assessment, prognosis and treatment response judgment.

3. How to determine whether you are at high risk for COPD?

1. Do you cough frequently every day?

2. Do you often cough up phlegm?

3. Do you easily experience shortness of breath or chest tightness?

4. Are you older than 40 years old?

5 Do you smoke or have you ever smoked?

If you answer "yes" to three or more questions, it is recommended that you go to the hospital for appropriate examinations in time to check whether you have COPD.

Let us pay attention to lung health and make breathing smoother!