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Did you know Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and lung cancer account for the leading causes of lung disease-related mortality worldwide? COPD is a group of lung diseases that cause airflow blockage and breathing difficulties. On the other hand, lung cancer is a malignant tumour that starts in the lungs and can lead to complications, such as shortness of breath and chest pain. But how are these two conditions related and is there a way to prevent them? We spoke to Dr Vasunethra Kasargod, Consultant – Pulmonologist, Manipal Hospital, Millers Road, Bengaluru, who shared insights on the same.

As per the World Health Organization (WHO), COPD is the third leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for nearly 6% of all deaths. In India, the situation is nowhere good with the ever-increasing prevalence of the disease. 

“Exposure to noxious fumes in the form of smoking, indoor pollution in the form of biomass fuel smoke for cooking, agarbatti, and mosquito repellent smoke. Environmental pollution is also an additional cause of COPD”, said Dr Kasargod.

COPD or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary is a chronic disease affecting the lungs more predominantly the airways (bronchitis) and air spaces (emphysema). It is the third most common cause of death world wide with almost 5% of adults affected in rural areas and 11% in urban areas.

Most common symptoms of COPD:

• Breathlessness
• Cough with mucous expectoration
• Other symptoms include weight loss, muscle loss etc.

Risk factors for COPD:

Most important correctable risk factor is smoking – cigarettes, pipes, cigars, bidis, hookah (active and passive) – accounts for the majority of cases world wide 
Air pollution – vehicular pollution, factory emissions, chemical exposures 
Indoor smoke exposure especially biomass (eg wood, coal) burning for cooking in rural areas with poorly ventilated kitchens 
Repeated childhood infections like pneumonia, viral infections 
Tuberculosis – important cause in a country like India – TB may later lead to development of COPD 
Uncontrolled chronic asthma may end up as COPD 
Certain genetic factors like alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency

Diagnosis 
COPD is diagnosed correlating your symptoms and performing a pulmonary function test known as spirometry. 
Occasionally additional tests such as diffusion capacity, lung volume assessment and HRCT chest may be required to be performed.

Complications of COPD: 
COPD is often associated with inflammation leading to higher risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer and respiratory failure.

Treatment for COPD:

• Stop Smoking
• Inhalers as advised by your doctors
• Breathing exercises and pulmonary rehabilitation
• Vaccination against flu, pneumonia, herpes

Measures to be taken to protect from air pollution:

• Avoid burning fossil fuels when possible
• Change from biomass fuels to LPG for cooking
• Avoid smoking especially in vicinity of children or pregnant women
• Use public transport so car emissions are reduced
• Strict environmental restrictions on factories and industries
• Use mask while going to polluted areas
• Use air purifiers when possible indoors
• Exercise, use treadmill indoors with air conditioning and air purifiers rather than outdoors in winters.

COPD is a lung condition that worsens over time, making breathing difficult and routine tasks challenging. Recognizing early symptoms like persistent cough and breathlessness is important. With proper management and lifestyle changes, you can slow progression and maintain a better quality of life.

What is COPD?

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a lung disease that causes obstruction to the airflow leading to breathing problems. This condition can manifest as chronic bronchitis (inflamed and narrowed airways), emphysema (damaged air sacs), or both.
People with COPD have damaged lungs, which can get clogged by thick mucus known as phlegm. COPD is caused by exposure to harmful particles, like cigarette smoking, burning of biomass fuels, air pollution etc.
People with COPD are also at higher risk of other health-related problems such as pneumonia, heart failure, and increased anxiety.¹