In the Republic of Moldova, 433 persons died because of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in 2022, as against 489 persons in 2021 and 506 persons in 2020. COPD develops gradually and is often the result of a combination of risk factors. Exposure to tobacco smoke and inhaling of toxic particles and gases are a risk factor for pulmonary disease. The data were presented on the occasion of World COPD Day, IPN reports.
In people with COPD, the lungs can get damaged or clogged with phlegm. Symptoms include cough, sometimes with phlegm, difficulty breathing, wheezing and tiredness. Smoking and air pollution are the most common causes of COPD. People with COPD are at higher risk of other health problems.
COPD annually claims 3 million lives worldwide. It isn’t curable, but it can get better by not smoking, avoiding air pollution and getting vaccines. It can be treated with medicines, oxygen and pulmonary rehabilitation.
COPD is included in the WHO Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) and the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
World COPD Day is annually celebrated on the third Wednesday of November. The 2023 theme for World COPD Day is “Breathing is Life - Act Earlier”.
