When 52-year-old Mrs. Bisi began to feel breathless after climbing just a few steps, she thought it was stress or the harmattan dust.
The breathlessness did not go away. It grew worse: first while walking to the bus stop, then even during simple chores. A nagging cough and wheezing soon followed. When she finally visited a clinic, a simple lung test revealed the truth: she had Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), a condition she had never heard of.
Her story is far too common. Around the world, millions of people experience similar symptoms and dismiss them until it’s too late. COPD is now the third leading cause of death globally, yet it remains underdiagnosed. That’s why this year’s World COPD Day calls us to pause and remember: “Short of Breath, Think COPD.”
COPD is a chronic, progressive disease that slowly limits airflow in and out of the lungs. It often develops silently over years of exposure to harmful particles from: cigarette smoke, cooking fumes, industrial dust, or even outdoor pollution. Some people, like Bisi, have never smoked but spent decades cooking with firewood or kerosene indoors.
The symptoms can begin gradually:a persistent cough, mucus production, wheezing, and fatigue. When the doctors examine, they may notice prolonged breathing sounds, a barrel-shaped chest, or bluish fingertips, signs that the lungs are struggling to deliver enough oxygen.
With the aid of a lung function test called spirometry, doctors can measure how much air a person can exhale and how fast. Based on these results, COPD can range from mild to very severe. The more advanced it becomes, the greater the risk of complications like respiratory failure, chronic lung infections, or even heart strain due to the extra effort required to breathe.
There is hope. Though COPD cannot be completely cured, early diagnosis and proper management can dramatically improve quality of life.
A. The first and most vital step is to stop smoking and avoid further exposure to polluted air.
B. Inhalers and bronchodilators help open the airways, while inhaled corticosteroids reduce inflammation.
C. Many patients benefit from pulmonary rehabilitation: structured exercise and breathing training that builds lung strength.
D. Vaccinations, such as influenza and pneumococcal shots, also protect against infections that can worsen symptoms.
Prognosis depends on how early the condition is detected, how faithfully treatment is followed, and whether harmful exposures continue.Some people live for decades with stable COPD when they receive good medical care and make lifestyle changes. Others, diagnosed late, face more frequent flare-ups and hospital visits.
So this year, as we mark World COPD Day 2025, let’s echo the campaign’s call: Don’t ignore that breathlessness. Do not normalize that cough. Whether you are a healthcare worker or just someone who loves clean air, remember: every breath matters.
If you find yourself short of breath, pause and think.
It might just be COPD, and catching it early could save your life.
O.Precious Salako
0 Comments