COPD: A Silent and Underdiagnosed Disease
Chronic breathlessness should never be normalised.
Dr. Hélène Marquet
Pulmonologist
In simple terms
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease kills 3 million people yearly and remains widely underdiagnosed.
What you need to remember
- Beyond smoking — Occupational dust, biomass smoke exposure and severe childhood respiratory infections also contribute.
- Management — Smoking cessation: the only intervention that changes the disease's natural course
- Severe disease — Long-term oxygen, non-invasive ventilation, and lung volume reduction help selected patients.
Chronic cough, sputum, and progressive exertional breathlessness in a current or former smoker after 40 should prompt spirometry.
Beyond smoking
Occupational dust, biomass smoke exposure and severe childhood respiratory infections also contribute. Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is a rare genetic cause.
Management
- Smoking cessation: the only intervention that changes the disease's natural course
- Bronchodilators (LAMA, LABA) form the cornerstone
- Pulmonary rehabilitation improves dyspnoea and quality of life
- Vaccination (influenza, pneumococcus, COVID-19) prevents exacerbations
Severe disease
Long-term oxygen, non-invasive ventilation, and lung volume reduction help selected patients.
A spirometry test takes 10 minutes and can confirm or rule out COPD definitively.
The words explained
Medical terms used above, in everyday language.
- Chronic
- A problem that lasts a long time, usually more than three months, and often comes back.
- Prevention
- Steps taken before a problem starts, to make it less likely.
- Genetic
- Passed down in your family through your genes.
- Vaccine
- A safe training session for your immune system, so it can fight a germ later.
When should you see a doctor?
- Your symptoms last more than a few weeks or keep coming back.
- They get worse quickly, or stop you doing everyday things.
- You notice sudden pain, breathing trouble, fainting or bleeding — seek urgent care.
- You already take medication and want to change anything about it.
This article explains general health information. It does not replace advice from your own doctor.
Frequently asked questions
- What is COPD: A Silent and Underdiagnosed Disease?
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease kills 3 million people yearly and remains widely underdiagnosed.
- What are the main symptoms or signs of COPD: A Silent and Underdiagnosed Disease?
- Common signs vary from person to person. The article above lists the symptoms to watch for, how they progress, and when they need medical attention.
- When should you see a doctor for COPD: A Silent and Underdiagnosed Disease?
- See a doctor if symptoms last more than a few weeks, get worse quickly, stop you doing everyday things, or if you notice sudden pain, breathing trouble, fainting or bleeding.
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