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Few conditions are as devastating as COPD. Despite this, there are still erroneous beliefs that interfere with its detection and prevention. Discover them!
Despite its enormous importance, today there are many myths about chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). All of these can have a significant influence on the delay of specialized consultations and, therefore, in an underdiagnosis of the condition.
Because it occupies part of the main causes of morbidity and mortality throughout the world, we will disprove some of these popular beliefs based on evidence below. Keep reading!
Main myths about chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
According to a article published in National Center for Biotechnology InformationChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) occurs when there is a limitation of the pulmonary air flow and a deterioration of the tissues of this area.
Although today there is enough information to understand this condition and its triggers, there are still some statements about it that are not entirely true. In the following space we review the most frequent.
1. “Only smokers get it”
One of the myths about chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is precisely its cause. Most of the health education aimed at raising awareness about this pathology speaks of tobacco smoke as its main condition. Although this is the case, there are other situations that can cause it in the long term.
According to a post in MedlinePlus, another possible trigger is prolonged exposure to biomass smoke. This appears as a result of the combustion of wood, garbage, manure, among other materials. In rural communities, this practice is common for many activities of daily life, such as cooking.
On rare occasions, there are genetic conditions that favor the development of the disease with little influence from other variables. The classic example is alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency.. This condition is associated with liver and lung pathologies due to the lack of expression of a vital protein for the protection of these organs.
2. “If I’m young, it’s impossible for me to get COPD”
Like many chronic conditions, it’s true that someone is more likely to develop COPD as they get older, especially if they’re exposed to risk factors. However, it is a myth to think that it only affects the elderly.
Usually, the first clinical manifestations begin to occur after 40 years. Discomfort such as cough with expectoration, shortness of breath and fatigue soon become chronic.
Therefore, it is recommended that a patient with one or more risk factors see a doctor or pulmonologist in a timely manner. Early actions can lead to a considerable improvement in the quality of life over the years.
3. “It is only possible to acquire the disease in developing countries”
When emphasizing the development of COPD as a result of constant exposure to biomass smoke, It is common to see images of people in developing countries.
The rural conditions in which many live —lack of gas or electricity, problems accessing health services, poverty, etc.— certainly tend to worsen their progression.
However, this does not mean that its appearance in developed countries is not possible, especially because of its relationship with smoking. Without going any further, in the year 2021 were published the results of the EPISCAN 2 study, which revealed an estimated prevalence of 11.8% in Spain.
This value varied considerably when comparing several communities, and it is noteworthy that an underdiagnosis of up to 74.7% was estimated. The latter may be influenced by the lack of general knowledge about the disease.
4. “It only produces a cough”
Regarding the symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease there are also myths. The most common is that the condition only manifests itself with a cough. But nothing is further from reality, se is a condition related to various medical complications.
This is due to the increase in inflammatory phenomena within the body and the progressive deterioration of pulmonary and cardiovascular function. According to one publication According to the Mayo Clinic, COPD patients are at increased risk of the following diseases:
- Respiratory infections.
- Myocardial infarction.
- Pulmonary hypertension.
- Depression.
- Lung cancer.
For this reason, it is considered one of the main causes of death in the world, together with several cardiovascular diseases (such as stroke) and cancer.
5. “If I have been a smoker for many years, it makes no difference to quit”
It is true, if you have smoked for decades, the deterioration of the lungs and other organs is difficult to reverse. Despite this, the earlier the bad habit is broken, the greater the chances of preventing the deadly complications of COPD.
The American Cancer Society ha published a list of the main benefits of smoking cessation. For example, after a year the risk of suffering a myocardial infarction decreases by half; in turn, at five years the same thing happens with cancer of the mouth or throat.
Debunking myths about chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is important
As you can see, there are several myths about chronic obstructive pulmonary disease that have spread in the population. Be informed and know the true origins and consequences of the disease It is a fundamental tool both to prevent it and to deal with it in an integral way.
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