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Saturday, 23 February 2008
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The Canadian Thoracic Society (CTS) released guidelines for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).What’s that, you ask? COPD is a progressive lung disease which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Over 714,000 Canadians have been diagnosed, but experts think there are thousands of additional undiagnosed cases. Approximately 9,000 sufferers will die from it this year. Incidence of the disease is climbing (especially among women). Some experts predict that by 2020, COPD will be the third leading cause of death worldwide. For those with COPD, seemingly minor triggers like the common cold, allergies or weather changes can result in a trip to the hospital – or even death. The new CTS guidelines provide physicians with up-to-the-minute treatment info. “The important message for physicians from the revised guidelines is that this is a treatable disease,” says Dr. Denis O’Donnell, Chair of the CTS COPD Guidelines Development Committee and Professor of Medicine and Physiology at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ont. “Through early diagnosis and correct assessment of disease severity… along with early and aggressive treatment with both lifestyle changes and medications, COPD can be managed and patients can maintain an improved quality of life.” The upshot? Awareness of the disease is increasing. Work with your doctor to find ways to avoid flare-ups, and explore whether medication may help in your case.
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