Nothing to fear from COPD tests, say researchers
RESEARCHERS from the University of the West Indies (UWI) Department of
Medicine have appealed to persons selected to participate in the Burden
of Obstructive Lung Disease (BOLD) study not be fearful of the
spirometry testing that is being administered under the research.
The BOLD study is part of an international research which requires countries to provide data on the prevalence of Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (COPD) in their location.
It is being funded jointly by the National Health Fund and the UWI Principal's Initiative Fund, and is being conducted over an eight-month period.
In an interview with JIS News, BOLD project lead and principal investigator of the UWI Department of Medicine Pulmonary Research Group, Dr Althea Aquart-Stewart explained that her team has been having difficulty getting persons to agree to do the spirometry testing, which is a key component of the study.
"Spirometry is a special breathing test that looks at the patient's lung function. The patient is asked to take the deepest possible breath then exhale into a device called a spirometer then the patient's airflow is assessed. The patient is then given two puffs of an inhaler (Ventolin or Salbutamol). The response to medication administered when the test is repeated 20 minutes later, is what helps to diagnose Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (COPD) and differentiate it from asthma," she explained.
She said that COPD is a preventable disease that occurs in people with a history of chronic cigarette smoking, chronic exposure to second-hand smoke or chemicals, or chronic indoor or outdoor air pollution.
"These patients have persistent shortness of breath, cough, and sputum production" she added.
Dr Aquart-Stewart, meanwhile, pointed out that the progressive disease can rob older patients of quality of life. "The shortness of breath is progressive to the point that patients, if they survive, may require home oxygen. It affects the lungs where it causes inflammation and narrowing of the bronchi -- the tubes which conduct air in the lungs -- and also causes patients to develop heart disease, because of their limited ability to exercise, and diabetes" she noted.
Wednesday was observed world-wide as 'World COPD Day' under the theme: 'It's Not Too Late'. The theme emphasises the fact that it is not too late to stop smoking as quitting prevents further decline in lung function.
"It's not too late to do spirometry either. If you are diagnosed with COPD you can get treatment and prolong your quality of life," Dr Aquart-Stewart said.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) predicts that by the year 2030, COPD will become the third leading cause of death worldwide.
THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.
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The BOLD study is part of an international research which requires countries to provide data on the prevalence of Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (COPD) in their location.
It is being funded jointly by the National Health Fund and the UWI Principal's Initiative Fund, and is being conducted over an eight-month period.
In an interview with JIS News, BOLD project lead and principal investigator of the UWI Department of Medicine Pulmonary Research Group, Dr Althea Aquart-Stewart explained that her team has been having difficulty getting persons to agree to do the spirometry testing, which is a key component of the study.
"Spirometry is a special breathing test that looks at the patient's lung function. The patient is asked to take the deepest possible breath then exhale into a device called a spirometer then the patient's airflow is assessed. The patient is then given two puffs of an inhaler (Ventolin or Salbutamol). The response to medication administered when the test is repeated 20 minutes later, is what helps to diagnose Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (COPD) and differentiate it from asthma," she explained.
She said that COPD is a preventable disease that occurs in people with a history of chronic cigarette smoking, chronic exposure to second-hand smoke or chemicals, or chronic indoor or outdoor air pollution.
"These patients have persistent shortness of breath, cough, and sputum production" she added.
Dr Aquart-Stewart, meanwhile, pointed out that the progressive disease can rob older patients of quality of life. "The shortness of breath is progressive to the point that patients, if they survive, may require home oxygen. It affects the lungs where it causes inflammation and narrowing of the bronchi -- the tubes which conduct air in the lungs -- and also causes patients to develop heart disease, because of their limited ability to exercise, and diabetes" she noted.
Wednesday was observed world-wide as 'World COPD Day' under the theme: 'It's Not Too Late'. The theme emphasises the fact that it is not too late to stop smoking as quitting prevents further decline in lung function.
"It's not too late to do spirometry either. If you are diagnosed with COPD you can get treatment and prolong your quality of life," Dr Aquart-Stewart said.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) predicts that by the year 2030, COPD will become the third leading cause of death worldwide.
THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.
PS- THOSE INTERESTED IN RECIPES ARE FREE TO VIEW MY BLOG-
HTTP:GSEASYRECIPES.BLOGSPOT.COM/
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Labels: asthma, COPD- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pollution, Smoking, spirometry
posted by G S Iyer at 7:21 AM
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