Temperatures that are outside the seasonal norms have brought many diseases to the door. Experts focus on the possibility that patients who experience problems such as coughing attacks and shortness of breath may have COPD. Etlik City Hospital Chest Diseases Education Officer Dr. Serap Duru said that the incidence of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, especially in children, is increasing.
Hasan Güvenç (76), who is being treated in the Chest Diseases Department of Etlik City Hospital, has been struggling with COPD for 16 years. Dr. Serap Duru said that Güvenç was treated for pneumonia at the age of 6 and for tuberculosis at the age of 11, and that the cause of COPD may be due to the severe infections he had in childhood.
‘There is a contraction in the airways’
Duru stated that the incidence of COPD in children is also increasing and said:
“COPD is a chronic disease that causes narrowing of the airways. Especially with age, the disease becomes non-temporary. The narrowing of the airways prevents comfortable breathing, and therefore cough attacks and shortness of breath become evident in the patient.
‘THE MOST SPECIFIC FEATURES OF THE DISEASE ARE COUGH AND SHORTNESS OF BREATH’
Patients consult a doctor because they complain about this cough and shortness of breath. Using tobacco and tobacco products, environmental exposure, occupational exposure, exposure to coal, wood and dung burned at home damage the lung structure.
There are two types of problems we see in COPD. The first is the deterioration of the structure of the small air sacs, and then there is chronic bronchitis. And that’s some kind of inflammation of the airway. As exposure to irritants increases, both of these diseases become activated and a condition called ‘COPD attack’ occurs.
THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING VACCINATED WAS EMPHASISED
Our duty is to give these patients the most appropriate treatment. First of all, we need to stay away from tobacco and tobacco products. If there is occupational exposure, we need to minimize it. Getting vaccinated is very important. Flu and pneumonia vaccinations are absolutely necessary. “In addition, if wood or coal is burned at home, patients should stay away from this.”
Tags: Cough attacks shortness breath evident disease .. visible increase children
