COPD now a disease of non-smokers too

Nagpur: “Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary

Disease

(COPD) was always known to be a smoker’s disease, non-smoking COPD has now become one of the major issue in developing country like India where dramatic rise is seen among female population rather than male,” said

Vidarbha

Chest Association (VCA) President Dr BO Tayade. He said, almost half the country is exposed to smoke from biomass fuel, used for cooking and heating purpose.

To reach citizens on the occasion of COPD day, association organized awareness camp on Tuesday at Gujrat Bhawan, Dhantoli, between 10am and 5pm. At least 500 COPD patients are also expected to arrive among the general public, told the association past President Dr Ashok Arbat. There will be interactive sessions regarding prevention, early diagnosis and treatment.

While addressing media on Tuesday, the association presented a data according to which, in India, 32% household still use biomass stoves, 22% use firewood, 8% use kerosene and rest use cleaner fuels like liquid petroleum gas or natural gas. About 50% deaths from COPD are due to biomass smoke, of which 75% are of women. Biomass fuels like wood, animal dung cakes, crop residue, pose great risk as active

smoking

. Reportedly, an almost threefold increase in the prevalence of COPD among

women

has been noticed. According to experts, this is likely due to the fact that women and young girls, especially in rural areas spend a greater time in the kitchen.

Association executive committee member Dr Aditya Parihar said, “Mosquito coil emits as much smoke as those from 100 cigarettes and as much formaldehyde as those from 50 cigarettes. We may not be regular smokers but we are unintentionally inviting trouble by using products that compromise our health.”

Association secretary Dr Rajesh Swarnakar said, “When the patient is non-smoker the diagnosis of COPD takes longer compared to someone who smokes. Doctors are still grappling because the disease is not being identified and treated at the right time.”

Arbat added, ”Even among the smoking population, there is a growing myth among youngsters that hookah or electronic cigarettes have no tobacco content. Hence hookah or e-smokers don’t even consider themselves as smokers. All such youths need to be sensitized that these products have equal tobacco content as any other cigarettes; even studies have proved the same. ”

Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India. Don't miss daily games like Crossword, Sudoku, and Mini Crossword.