Miguel Tsukayama, Pulmonologist of our clinic, helps us to know some important aspects about this condition.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, better known as COPD, is a progressive disease that causes shortness of breath and tends to get worse over time. Its most common conditions are: emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

In emphysema, the alveoli are injured and destroyed. In chronic bronchitis, the bronchial tubes become irritated and inflamed, producing phlegm. Most patients with COPD suffer from these two complications at the same time. COPD is said to be a systemic disease because apart from affecting the lungs, it affects other organs such as the heart, brain, skin, and blood circulation in general.

The main cause of this disease is tobacco. Most COPD patients are smokers or have already quit smoking. However, it should be noted that 25% of patients never tried a cigarette. Long-term exposure to wood smoke and air pollution are also predisposing factors.

Among the symptoms of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease are cough with phlegm, wheezing, progressive shortness of breath, chest tightness, among others.

Finally, it is important to note that this pathology has no cure and grows if it is not treated in due time.

Miguel Tsukayama
Pulmonologist at Clínica Ricardo Palma

Source: El Popular newspaper