Avoid lung diseases
We are all born with only one lung. Keeping them healthy and intact for as long as possible is an essential part of our future well-being. Today's World COPD Day sheds light on what we can do to promote lifelong lung health and how we can protect vulnerable populations.
Chronic lung disease COPD
COPD is a chronic lung disease that is common around the world, but little is known about it. In Germany alone, almost five million and around 600 million people worldwide are affected by this respiratory disease. Ascending trend.
What is COPD?
The abbreviation COPD stands for "Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease", which means permanent narrowing of the airways. It is a disease of the lungs with a permanent narrowing of the airways that is irreversible and cannot be cured. This makes it particularly difficult for those affected to exhale. The narrowing is caused by inflammation of the small airways, which causes mucus to be produced and lung tissue to be destroyed.
Cause of COPD
The cause of COPD is long-term inhalation of harmful particles. Patients often suffer from the symptoms of chronic bronchitis with coughing and increased sputum production as well as shortness of breath on exertion. According to statistics, between 80 and 90 percent of all COPD cases can be traced back to smoking.
Diagnosis of COPD and best possible treatment
Early diagnosis of COPD is very important because it is essential for both the course of the disease and the therapy. COPD is diagnosed via a lung function test by a lung specialist or in the lung center. Although COPD cannot be cured, it is now very treatable. However, the most important measure is and remains to stop smoking.
Symptoms of COPD
COPD disease begins insidiously. Early symptoms such as increased coughing, sputum production and shortness of breath are often accepted by those affected as side effects of smoking - as so-called smoker's cough. Due to the progressive damage to the air sacs in the lungs, the oxygen supply to the entire organism becomes increasingly poor. For this reason, people suffering from severe COPD must be supplied with additional oxygen on a permanent basis.
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What does COPD mean for the everyday life of those affected?
Physical exertion is very limited for people with COPD. As the process progresses, those affected are dependent on additional oxygen. The activities of a day must therefore be carefully planned, which unfortunately also affects social contacts for many. Many COPD sufferers withdraw and therefore also suffer from loneliness.
What does World COPD Day want?
World COPD Day was established in 2002 by the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD). The aim of this special day is to raise awareness, recall and share knowledge about the lung disease COPD in order to reduce the burden worldwide.
This year, the theme of World COPD Day, which takes place on November 16th, is "Your Lungs for Life" and aims to highlight the importance of lifelong lung health.
Respiratory therapy at Drive DeVilbiss
Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare offers a wide range of products that improve the quality of life of people with COPD and support therapy. On the one hand, we have different oxygen concentrators in our range. Here you have the choice between stationary or portable oxygen concentrators. Our portable, forward-looking iGo2 is particularly popular. It is the first of its kind to feature patented, self-adjusting SmartDose™ technology. The oxygen supply is automatically adjusted to the activities of the user.
We also have various nebulizers in our portfolio for soothing inhalation therapy: our compressor nebulizer AirForce One and the portable nebulizer AirForce Mini, which enables aerosol therapy anywhere and without electricity.
The professional Hikoneb 908 DC ultrasonic nebulizer, which is available exclusively from Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare, is ideal for continuous use in clinics, care facilities and the home care sector.
Lung doctors from the Association of Pneumological Clinics point out that COPD patients with lung failure whose mucus (sputum) is regularly bronchoscopically aspirated suffer from fewer lung infections, require invasive ventilation less often and can usually be discharged from the hospital earlier.
For the most common aspirations in the home, nursing homes and special clinical applications, we recommend our new product: the light, efficient and portable VacuAide 7325 ssuction unit. It is space-saving and light, but still shines with a high suction power.
Take care of your lungs and give them the chance to breathe freely for a lifetime.