Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) causes approximately three million deaths annually worldwide. This preventable and treatable disease manifests with symptoms such as shortness of breath, persistent cough, and sputum production. While the most common cause of COPD is tobacco use, genetic factors, air pollution, and environmental exposures also play a significant role. Anadolu Health Center Pulmonology Specialist Assoc. Prof. Tayfun Çalışkan highlighted that the lack of awareness about COPD often leads to delayed or incorrect diagnosis and inadequate treatment.
Women Are Also at Risk
Although COPD is often believed to be more prevalent in men, recent studies reveal that women are equally at risk. Emphasizing that women are more sensitive to the harmful effects of smoking, Assoc. Prof. Çalışkan stated, “In addition to tobacco products like cigarettes, cigars, and hookah, factors such as indoor use of biomass fuels, exposure to occupational dust and chemicals, and air pollution also increase the risk of developing COPD.”
Early Symptoms Should Not Be Overlooked
COPD is a slowly progressing disease that primarily affects middle-aged and older adults. Early symptoms often go unnoticed as patients attribute them to smoking or aging. Assoc. Prof. Çalışkan explained, “Many patients delay seeking medical attention for symptoms like shortness of breath and coughing, believing them to be normal. However, this makes the disease harder to diagnose and treat.”
Improved Quality of Life Through Treatment
COPD is diagnosed through lung function tests, and early treatment is critical to preventing disease progression. Treatment options include smoking cessation support, exercise programs, lifestyle modifications to enhance quality of life, vaccinations, oxygen therapy, and advanced interventional pulmonology methods such as valve or coil procedures.
Assoc. Prof. Çalışkan stressed the importance of combating air pollution and tobacco use, saying, “COPD is a preventable disease. With early diagnosis and treatment, patients’ quality of life can be improved, and disease progression can be halted.”
