Polluted Air Increases COPD Risk

COPD is a chronic disease that causes blockage of the airways called bronchi in the lungs and leads to complaints such as difficulty breathing, cough and shortness of breath. Prof. Dr. Arzu Mirici, Chair of TÜSAD COPD Working Group, points out that air pollution is as much of a risk factor for this disease as smoking. COPD, one of the most significant diseases of our time, affects 600 million people worldwide. World COPD Day, observed on the third Wednesday of November, is marked by various activities to raise awareness about this important issue. TÜSAD COPD Working Group Chair Prof. Dr. Arzu Mirici emphasized the importance of air quality in relation to this disease. Mirici stated: "The factors causing the disease include air pollutants, primarily smoking. Pollution created by industrialization and vehicle exhaust is particularly significant in major cities, while in rural areas particulate and gas pollution can be problematic for various reasons. The main causes are the use of fuels for cooking and heating and animal products. In combating air pollution, protecting and increasing forests is as important as controlling pollution sources. Particularly in dealing with particulate pollution, the contribution of forests and green spaces in general is very significant." Mirici noted that COPD is generally known as a disease affecting people over 40 years of age, but can also occur in younger individuals. Mirici said: "The development of this disease is related to the amount and duration of pollutant exposure in the air we breathe. If a person breathes polluted air for a long period, the disease can be expected to appear at a younger age. Also, individual susceptibility matters. Some people may develop the disease earlier." Stating that COPD is a preventable respiratory disease resulting from the deterioration of air quality we breathe, particularly by human activity, Mirici said: "COPD is the response of the immune system to deteriorated air quality. It is a chronic disease affecting not only our lungs but all organs of the body. Therefore, while on one hand we improve the quality of the air we breathe, on the other we must support our immune system through proper methods. These should include adequate and balanced nutrition, healthy sleep patterns, exercise appropriate to age and fitness level, and learning to cope with stress. To protect our lung health, we must first pay attention to our overall health, eat a balanced and healthy diet, and avoid tobacco and tobacco products. Air pollution in indoor environments that could be harmful should be prevented, and we should try to stay away from air pollution in outdoor environments. Vaccination programs should be followed to prevent infections. We should exercise regularly in a manner appropriate to our age, gender and physical condition," he said.

COVID-19 and COPD

Mirici drew attention to the fact that COPD patients experience COVID-19 infection more severely due to their limited lung capacity. Stating that COPD patients and their household members need to strictly follow general precautions, Mirici continued: "COPD patients should continue to take their medications regularly. They should go out as little as possible and should not neglect home exercises. Hands (of both patients and close contacts) should be washed regularly, social distance should be maintained, frequently touched surfaces should be cleaned, hands should not touch the face without being washed, when a person sneezes they should definitely use disposable paper tissue, and if unavailable, sneeze into the elbow, and paper tissue should be disposed of immediately. Due to the pandemic, we faced a severe lung infection problem. This type of disease is one we rarely see in winter months and have not seen so many cases of at once. Because of its acute nature, all attention was directed to this disease. All healthcare workers and the entire system were organized for this disease and we tried to achieve the best possible outcomes. We share information and experience with colleagues across the country and internationally to manage the process as appropriately as possible. We were concerned that because some healthcare facilities focused solely on monitoring pandemic patients, there could be gaps in the monitoring of some lung patients, particularly those with cancer and COPD. We are making efforts to address these issues and implement telemedicine applications," he concluded.