Shortness of breath is one of the main symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which is the third leading cause of death in the world. Patients should see a doctor if shortness of breath affects normal activities, persists for more than a month, if at all associated with chest pain or is accompanied by a chronic cough or fatigue. On the occasion of Wednesday’s World COPD Day, the head of the clinic of pneumology, phthisiology and functional diagnostics of the Slovak Health University and University Hospital Bratislava Štefan Laššán pointed this out.
COPD is one of the inflammatory diseases affecting the airways and lung tissue with narrowing of the bronchi, restriction of air flow and gradual deterioration of lung function. In addition to premature death, it brings significant symptom burden, reduced quality of life, and socioeconomic and psychological impacts for the patient.
“The shortness of breath in COPD first appears during physical exertion, for example when walking up stairs or at work. Later it is also present during normal daily activities and in more advanced stages it can appear even at rest. The patient feels a lack of air, difficulty breathing, discomfort in the chest. Shortness of breath is often accompanied by a feeling of pressure on the chest, wheezing while breathing and reduced performance,” the expert explained.
Immediate medical help should be sought in case of sudden or worsened shortness of breath. Regarding the first appearance of difficulties, mild recurring symptoms or a chronic cough without a clear cause, a visit to the general practitioner is recommended. It is advisable to consult a pulmonologist if recommended by a general practitioner, if shortness of breath does not improve despite treatment, worsens or is accompanied by other symptoms, also if serious and long-term lung disease is suspected. Smokers over the age of 40 should also visit a specialist if they have breathing problems or a long-term cough.
“In general, for milder or unclear complaints, see a general practitioner first, for repeated, worsening or combined lung symptoms, a visit to a pulmonologist or other specialist is necessary,” added the doctor.
The main cause of the disease is smoking, long-term exposure to harmful substances or polluted air. Patients with bronchial asthma, tuberculosis or frequent respiratory infections are also at risk of developing COPD. “There is no safe level of exposure to smoking or other harmful substances. In addition to smoking traditional cigarettes, other forms of tobacco use/addiction are also dangerous, i.e. heated tobacco, electronic cigarettes and the like.” pointed out Laššán.
