• Your health
• Acne
• Allergic Rhinitis
• Breast cancer
• Cervical cancer
• Diabetes
• Heart failure
• Hypertension
• Osteoporosis
• Psoriasis
• Respiratory diseases
• Rheumatoid arthritis

Respiratory diseases - COPD

What is COPD?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a lung disease characterized by chronic obstruction of airflow that interferes with normal breathing and is not fully reversible.

COPD is diagnosed by a simple test called spirometry, which measures how deeply a person can breathe and how fast air can move into and out of the lungs. Because COPD develops slowly, it is most frequently diagnosed in people aged 40 years or older.

COPD is preventable, but not curable. Treatment may help slow disease progression, but COPD generally worsens over time.

What are the symptoms?

The most common symptoms of COPD are breathlessness, or a 'need for air', excessive sputum production, and a chronic cough. Daily activities such as walking up a short flight of stairs may become very difficult as the disease worsens.

Causes of COPD

Tobacco smoke (including second-hand or passive exposure)

Indoor air pollution (such as biomass fuel used for cooking and heating)

Outdoor air pollution

Occupational dusts and chemicals (vapors, irritants, and fumes)

Frequent lower respiratory infections during childhood

Preventing COPD

The most important measure for preventing COPD and for stopping disease progression is avoiding tobacco smoke (including passive exposure). Although COPD cannot be cured, appropriate management can control symptoms, slow disease progression and enable people to enjoy good quality of life.

Respiratory diseases - Asthma

Asthma is a problem worldwide with an estimated 300 million affected individuals. Factors that influence the development and expression of asthma include genes, obesity, indoor (e.g. furred animals, molds) and outdoor allergens (e.g. pollens), infections (particularly viral infections), occupational agents, tobacco smoke (including passive smoke), outdoor and indoor air pollution and diet.

What is asthma?

Asthma involves the narrowing of the bronchial tubes (bronchi), which lead from the windpipe into the lungs. The bronchi carry the air in and the carbon dioxide breathed out. In people with asthma, the airway is sensitive and slightly swollen. In an asthma attack, the airways contract, narrowing the tubes, and therefore narrow the pathway for air to come in and out. The lining of the airways also become more inflamed, and often sticky mucus is produced. This makes it much more difficult to breathe, especially when breathing out, which is why asthma sufferers often inhale in short sharp breaths and exhale in a longer more labored breath.

What are the symptoms?

The main symptoms are difficulty breathing, shortness of breath and a tight sensation around the throat. An audible wheeze is often present and sometimes coughing can be the main symptom in children.

What causes an asthma attack?

Asthma attacks can be associated with exercise, cold temperatures, or come on at night. But they can also be caused by an allergy to triggers such as cat fur or dust mites or pollutants such as cigarette smoke and exhaust fumes; or chemical irritants such as some household cleaners.

Preventing asthma

Most people with asthma can have their condition worsened or even triggered by everyday substances. If you can identify the cause, it may be possible to avoid the trigger such as keeping the house as clear of dust as possible or avoiding cigarette smoke. But the aim of managing asthma with current treatment is to achieve a life not hampered by asthma for as many sufferers as possible.

Asthma and COPD have similar symptoms and are easily confused with each other. However, they are very different diseases:

Back to top