Response – Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Response – Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Student 1

 Hello,

Thank you for your post. This is a fantastic overview of the complex issue of COPD prevalence in low-income countries. You’ve highlighted several crucial factors, including tobacco use and indoor air pollution, limited healthcare access, and socioeconomic determinants. I particularly appreciate how you have woven in data from the American Lung Association and the World Health Organization to paint a compelling picture of the global impact (WHO, 2023).

One aspect I found particularly interesting was your point about the aging population. The demographic shift you mentioned, with increasing life expectancy in low-income countries, undoubtedly contributes to the rising COPD burden (Hurst & Trishul Siddharthan, 2021; Momtazmanesh et al., 2023). This highlights the need for preventive measures and robust healthcare systems equipped to manage chronic respiratory conditions in older adults.

I would love your thoughts on potential interventions to address this challenge. Do you see specific public health policies playing a key role? Or perhaps community-based education and awareness programs could be impactful? I am curious to explore how we can work together to combat this complex issue and improve respiratory health outcomes in low-income regions.

Thanks for sparking such a thought-provoking discussion!

References

Hurst, J. R., & Trishul Siddharthan. (2021). Global Burden of COPD. Springer EBooks, 439–458. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-45009-0_25

Momtazmanesh, S., Sahar Saeedi Moghaddam, Seyyed-Hadi Ghamari, Elaheh Malakan Rad, Rezaei, N., Parnian Shobeiri, Amirali Aali, Mohsen Abbasi-Kangevari, Zeinab Abbasi-Kangevari, Abdelmasseh, M., Meriem Abdoun, Deldar Morad Abdulah, Abu, Abedi, A., Abolhassani, H., Zahra Abrehdari-Tafreshi, Basavaprabhu Achappa, Denberu Eshetie Adane Adane, Tigist Demssew Adane, & Isaac Yeboah Addo. (2023). Global burden of chronic respiratory diseases and risk factors, 1990–2019: an update from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. EClinicalMedicine, 101936–101936. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2023.101936

WHO. (2023). Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Www.who.int. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease-(COPD)

Student 2

Hello,

Thank you for sharing this informative case of Mrs. Mary Lou. It is truly concerning how she experienced several early signs of COPD before receiving the diagnosis, and it is a powerful reminder to pay attention to seemingly minor changes in our health. As you mentioned, COPD often presents with subtle symptoms like frequent bronchitis, shortness of breath, and difficulty talking while walking (WHO, 2023).

Your point about the global impact of COPD is particularly important. It is alarming to see the rise of this disease in developed countries, highlighting the need for public health initiatives to combat air pollution and raise awareness about the dangers of smoking. Educating communities, especially in areas with high COPD rates, about early warning signs and risk factors can significantly affect early detection and intervention (Rossaki et al., 2021).

Perhaps we could delve deeper into the specific challenges faced by Western Pacific and Southeast Asian countries regarding COPD management. Are there cultural or economic factors that contribute to the disease’s prevalence? Moreover, what are some promising strategies these countries are implementing to address the issue? By discussing these aspects, we can better understand COPD and work towards effective prevention and treatment measures globally.

References

Rossaki, F. M., Hurst, J. R., van Gemert, F., Kirenga, B. J., Williams, S., Khoo, E. M., Tsiligianni, I., Tabyshova, A., & van Boven, J. F. (2021). Strategies for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of COPD in low- and middle-income countries: the importance of primary care. Expert Review of Respiratory Medicine, 15(12), 1563–1577. https://doi.org/10.1080/17476348.2021.1985762

WHO. (2023). Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Www.who.int. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease-(COPD)

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Chronic and Communicable Diseases Week 3 response to two students about how COPD has seen an increase in mortality compared to the more common communicable diseases seen throughout the world, especially in underdeveloped nations.

Instructions: each response should be at least 100 words. Prompt discussion, do not make a simple comment, such as “good work!” Address fellow students with respect and acceptance that there may be a variety of personal views.

Student 1: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) also known as “smoker’s disease” is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that causes obstructed airflow to the lungs. According to the American Lung Association COPD is caused by long exposure to lung irritants such as tobacco smoke and chemicals that can damage your lungs and airways. (American Lung Association, 2023). Although, smoking is one of the main culprits some people can develop COPD.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is often more prevalent in low-income countries compared to other communicable diseases for several interconnected reasons:

1. Tobacco Use:

– Smoking Rates: Smoking is a major risk factor for COPD, and in many low-income countries, there may be higher rates of tobacco use due to various factors such as lower awareness, limited access to cessation resources, and affordability of tobacco products.

2. Indoor Air Pollution:

– Biomass Fuel Use: In low-income settings, people often rely on biomass fuels like wood, crop residues, and dung for cooking and heating. Prolonged exposure to indoor air pollution from these fuels is a significant risk factor for COPD.

3. Occupational Exposures:

– High-Risk Occupations: Certain occupations, prevalent in low-income countries, expose individuals to dust, fumes, and pollutants that can contribute to the development of COPD. Examples include jobs in agriculture, construction, and manufacturing.

4. Limited Access to Healthcare:

– Underdiagnosis and Undertreatment: In low-income countries, there may be challenges in accessing healthcare services, leading to underdiagnosis and undertreatment of respiratory conditions. Lack of awareness, limited availability of diagnostic tools, and affordability issues contribute to this gap.

5. Malnutrition:

– Impact on Respiratory Health: Malnutrition, prevalent in some low-income regions, can weaken the respiratory muscles and compromise lung function. This can exacerbate the effects of COPD and contribute to a higher prevalence.

6. Infectious Diseases:

– Impact on Lung Health: In low-income countries, infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and respiratory infections are more common. These diseases can damage the lungs and increase susceptibility to COPD.

7. Environmental Factors:

– Exposure to Pollution: Poor environmental conditions, including high levels of outdoor air pollution, can contribute to respiratory issues. Limited regulations on industrial emissions and vehicle pollution in some low-income countries may exacerbate these environmental risks.

8. Socioeconomic Determinants:

– Poverty and Education: Socioeconomic factors, such as poverty and limited access to education, can contribute to a lack of awareness about the dangers of smoking, exposure to indoor air pollution, and the importance of seeking timely medical care.

9. Aging Population:

– Shift in Demographics: As low-income countries undergo demographic shifts with increasing life expectancy, there is a growing aging population. COPD is more prevalent among older individuals, contributing to its higher incidence in these regions. According to World Health Organization, in 2019 COPD was the third leading cause of death worldwide causing 3.23 million deaths. Nearly 90% of those deaths under 70 years of age occur in low and middle-income countries (World Health Organization, 2023).

In summary, the higher prevalence of COPD in low-income countries is often a result of a complex interplay of factors, including lifestyle choices, environmental exposures, limited healthcare resources, and socioeconomic determinants. Addressing these multifaceted issues requires comprehensive public health strategies and interventions tailored to the specific challenges of each region.

References

American Lung Association. (2023, April 28). Retrieved January 2024, from American Lung Association: https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/copd/what-causes-copd#:~:text=Over%20time%2C%20exposure%20to%20lung,4%20with%20COPD%20never%20smoked.

World Health Organization. (2023, March 16). Retrieved from World Health Orgnization: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease-(copd)

Student 2: Mrs. Mary Lou, an elderly woman was diagnosed with Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). She was first diagnosed with bronchitis four times in six months and had trouble walking and talking at the same time. She realized that after she was diagnosed with COPD she was experiencing early signs of COPD. If Mrs. Lou didn’t pay attention to the warning signs, she would have never known about the serious disease she has. COPD is a type of lung disease that restricts a person’s airflow ultimately causing breathing problems. It can be caused by tobacco smoke, indoor air pollution, and asthma. Unfortunately, COPD is not curable. COPD is increasing in developed countries due to people’s constant exposure to tobacco, fumes from burning fuel, and heating in poorly ventilated homes. Countries with the highest COPD are located in the Western Pacific and South East Asia regions.

World Health Organization: WHO & World Health Organization: WHO. (2023, March 16). Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease-(COPD)

COPD – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic. (2020, April 15). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/copd/symptoms-causes/syc-20353679

Adeloye, D., Song, P., Zhu, Y., Campbell, H., Sheikh, A., & Rudan, I. (2022). Global, regional, and national prevalence of, and risk factors for, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in 2019: a systematic review and modeling analysis. The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, 10(5), 447–458. https://doi.org/10.1016/s2213-2600(21)00511-7

American Lung Association. (2023, February 21). Mary Lou’s Story | Early warning signs of COPD [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MMlJqtUQV4