A doctor talks about the risks of developing COPD due to dirty air and smoking

Due to increased air pollution with the arrival of the heating season and smoking there is a risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This was reported on December 21 by Zaurbek Aysanov, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor of Pulmonology Department of N.I. Pirogov RNIMU.

He specified that air of poor quality directly affects the condition of the lungs and can cause tissue inflammation.

"Fine particulate matter (PM2.5, PM10) and harmful gases, which are present in polluted air, cause chronic inflammation in the lungs and destroy the tissues of the organ," Gazeta.Ru quoted Aysanov as saying.

The doctor specified that with regular exposure to poor quality air on the lungs a person can develop COPD. In the winter season, the chance of complications increases several times due to the more active use of motor transport.

Smoking also affects the development of lung disease. If a person smokes and is in constant contact with poor-quality air, the probability of developing COPD increases several times.

According to the doctor, this disease is the third cause of death in the world and cause the risk of myocardial infarction.

"In the first five days of COPD exacerbation, the risk of myocardial infarction is doubled. Unfortunately, it is the severe cases of exacerbations and the associated rapid progression of the disease that become the main cause of death of people with COPD," Aysanov said.

The doctor noted that in order to slow down the development of the disease, it must be detected in time. He also urged people with COPD to be systematically observed by specialists.

Earlier, on November 27, candidate of medical sciences Olga Ulankina, doctor - expert of the laboratory "Hemotest" told "Izvestia" that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is often called the main disease of smokers. It develops if for some reason the lumen of the bronchi becomes narrow and the inhaled air cannot reach the lungs normally.