On December 20, 2022, from the patient situation “Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is on the rise every year. It has become the second most life-threatening health threat for Thai people in the country, while the World Health Organization states that COPD is the third leading cause of death worldwide.
Prof. Dr. Kamol Kaewkitinarong Head of the Division of Pulmonary Medicine and Pulmonary Critical Care Medicine Department of Internal Medicine Faculty of Medicine Chulalongkorn University As a sub-committee on Interstitial Lung Diseases and Occupational and Environmental Lung Diseases The Uravej Association of Thailand Under the patronage of the King said that chronic obstructive bronchial disease, commonly known as “Emphysema” is a disease that has a higher incidence and severity today. There are approximately 700,000 patients with 20,000 deaths each year or an average of 50 per day.
The number one reason came fromsmoking In which 90% of patients had a history of smoking for more than 10 years and the study found that smoking 1 pack per day for a period of more than 10 years (pack-year) increased the risk of developing the disease. matter factorair pollution such as inhalation of dust, toxic fumes, chemical aerosols, and genetic diseases. is the cause of the disease as well
Characteristics of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are fatigue, shortness of breath, coughing with sputum and chronic cough. When severe symptoms affect quality of life having to be hospitalized Loss of ability to work, income and resources of the country, so taking care of yourself properly and the early start of treatment can reduce hospitalization and death rates.
“The situation found in the case of 100 smokers, regarding 20 people will have this disease. Some people have smoked for 30-40 years and have never been tested until they get tired easily. When he came to see the doctor, it turned out that half of the lungs were left. while other risks found, such as exposure to smoke in poorly ventilated areas or had an infection in childhood that made the lungs unable to develop fully, etc.
Therefore, we would like to campaign for high-risk smokers to come and diagnose the lungs to look for bronchial stenosis. and should stop smoking in order to slow down the deterioration of the lungs or prevent lung damage faster In addition, smoking is also a risk factor for other diseases such as cancer, ischemic heart disease, etc.
current treatmentobstructive bronchial diseaseChronic. The doctor will prescribe an effective medication. No side effects, including long-acting bronchodilators, inhaled 1 time, can control symptoms throughout the day simplify And every patient, every right of treatment, does not have to pay for medicines as well. But the problem found is that the drug distribution is not evenly distributed. There are only provincial hospitals. making people in many areas inaccessible Although this drug is the basis for the free treatment of COPD in all patients. which should be present in every hospital
In addition to long-acting bronchodilators, There are still many medications that doctors adjust to patients more or less according to their condition. Including non-drug treatment to rehabilitate the lungs through exercise training. Practice correct breathing. and get vaccinated once morest lung-related diseases, including COVID-19, influenza, and pneumococcal vaccines
In this regard, the Urawech Association of Thailand Organized campaign activities and disseminated knowledge to the public. Patients and caregivers On “World COPD Day” on November 16, 2022, pulmonary function testing units were organized to travel to hospitals that might not perform lung function tests. Team by Dr. Khajorn Soontrapiwat which has received good cooperation from Buddhachinaraj Hospital Phitsanulok Province Pichai Hospital Uttaradit Province Wichian Buri Hospital and Lom Sak Hospital Phetchabun Province More than 214 patients received a correct diagnosis and continued appropriate treatment.
At the same time, the bronchial disease working group The Uravej Association of Thailand The application “SIMPLE COPD” has also been developed for medical personnel to use to take care of patients easily, conveniently and accurately, starting from the assessment of the disease. Drug selection, medication adjustment, inhaler use And other necessary advice. In addition, a short video was created to educate people regarding the symptoms and how to act properly when living with the disease. It was published on the YouTube channel of the Thai Urological Association.
