"Prevention of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease" is the theme of today's "Wednesday with Prevention" - an educational action by the National Health Fund. Are we definitely not affected by this disease?
Every breath counts
In Poland, for COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) affects more than 2 million people. Most patients do not know that coughing and breathlessness can be caused by this disease.
If undiagnosed or diagnosed late, it shortens patients' lives by 10-15 years. COPD is a multi-organ disease - the inflammatory process takes place in the lungs, but its effects are felt throughout the body.
Lung diseases, of which COPD is the most common, are the fourth leading cause of death in Poland and the third worldwide, after cardiovascular disease, malignant tumours and death from violent causes.
COPD is the only one of the most common chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) with a steadily increasing prevalence.
Take care of your lungs!
People with chronic respiratory diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), are more susceptible to respiratory infections.
Influenza vaccination significantly reduces the risk of COPD exacerbations, hospital stays and even death from influenza.
- Early recognition of obstructive pulmonary disease means early treatment and a longer healthy life -says in the attached video Dr Piotr Dąbrowiecki, specialist in internal medicine and allergology and tells you how to recognise COPD, what tests to perform and how to treat it effectively and, above all, prevent the disease.
- In case of worrying symptoms – exertional dyspnoea, cough, see your primary care physician - he adds.
See the expert's statement on the NFZ Academy YouTube channel:
Educational materials prepared as part of the 'Wednesday with Prevention' campaign are available free of charge at:
- channel YouTube NFZ Academy,
- and on the website of the National Health Fund - https://www.nfz.gov.pl/aktualnosci/aktualnosci-oddzialow/