Preventive healthcare: Over 6.9m people suffer from respiratory disorders in Pakistan

Health experts speak about importance of a healthy lifestyle to counter the disease

KARACHI: Medical experts say that more than 6.9 million people suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), also known as chronic obstructive lung disorder, in Pakistan.

It is speculated that, by 2020, it will be the third leading cause of death from chronic diseases, worldwide. Speaking on the occasion of World COPD Day at Karachi Press Club on Monday, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical College pulmonology head Dr Nadeem Ahmed Rizvi, said that treatment and awareness of COPD has become a challenge for the world.

It is one of the the most common respiratory disorders, affecting approximately 210 million people around the world, he pointed out. He said that smoking accounts for up to 75 per cent of all cases of COPD. "Not only smokers are at higher risk but they also affect other people through passive smoking," he added, suggesting that people should abstain from smoking.





Dr Nisar Rao, DOW University of Health Sciences pulmonology head and associate professor, said that COPD is a common yet preventable disease characterised by persistent airflow limitation that is usually progressive and associated with an enhanced chronic inflammatory response in the lungs.

Rao said that the patients must maintain a healthy diet. They have to avoid possible triggers such as cigarette smoke, air pollution, chemical fumes and dust. Once diagnosed with COPD, daily medication is vital to fight with COPD along with rescue inhalers, he explained. He said that COPD is a chronic disease. "Only way to counter the disease is to maintaining a healthy lifestyle and using prescribed therapies."



Dr Mosavir Ansari, senior pulmonogist, said that around 33.3 per cent COPD patients are hospitalised for their condition and 26.7 per cent patients visit an emergency room due to their respiratory condition.

Health experts also pointed out that the lack of awareness and unavailability of data is increasing the problem.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 17^th, 2015.