World COPD day

World COPD Day was established by the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) in collaboration with health care professionals and COPD patient groups worldwide.  The Global Initiative aims to raise awareness about the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and to improve COPD care globally. The first World COPD Day was held in 2002.

Each year GOLD decides on a theme and coordinates preparation and distribution of World COPD Day materials and resources. The theme for the year 2018 is “Never too early, never too late”. Various activities are organized in each country by health care professionals, to help reduce the burden of COPD.

COPD is a life-threatening lung disease that later results in breathing problem due to obstruction in the airways.  The flow of air in and out of the lungs decreases. In this case, less oxygen gets delivered in the body tissues, thus making it harder to get rid of carbon dioxide. It's caused by long-term exposure to waste gases or particulate matter, usually from cigarette smoke. People suffering from COPD are at increased risk of developing heart disease, lung cancer, and various other conditions. The air sacs (alveoli) in some cases gets damaged leading to a condition called Emphysema. In other cases, the airways get inflamed (irritation) leading to a condition called chronic bronchitis.
According to the World Health Organization, there are about 64 million people suffering from COPD worldwide. As per a study, COPD will become the third leading cause of death by 2030 worldwide.


  1. Shortness of breath (Dyspnoea)
  2. Wheezing (Whistling sound while breathing)
  3. Chest tightness
  4. Cough with mucus often called smoker’s cough
  5. Unintended weight loss (in later stages)

Exams and Tests for COPD:

1. The best test for COPD is a lung function test called spirometry. This test involves blowing out as hard as possible into a small machine which measures the capacity of lungs and helps the person to visit a pulmonologist as a soon as possible because the results are obtained right away.

2. A blood test called arterial blood gas can be done to measure the amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood.

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Prevention Tips

  • Avoid smoking-Active as well as passive (second hand) because it is the leading causes of COPD.
  • Avoid outdoor and indoor pollution such as air pollution, chemical fumes, and dust.
  • Avoid moving in congested or overcrowded places for example heavy traffic, marketplaces and chemical factories.
  • Use of mask or any protective equipment to avoid exposure of dust and chemicals.
  • Take a healthy diet to reduce the risk of respiratory infections
  • Avoid exposure to fireworks, crackers, and fumes, in case you are a COPD patient.

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