by RG Alama

Davao City (14 November) -- Cases of COPD or Chronic Obstruction Pulmonary Disease are on the rise, this according to studies in the United States and the Philippines.

Dr. Mervin Marcos, pulmonologist and member of the Philippine College of Chest Physicians-Southern Mindanao, said that according to the US study, at the rate of growth, COPD will dislodge heart disease as the number 5 or 6 top killer disease.

According to fellow pulmologist Dr. Jasper Ramos, the number one cause of COPD is cigarette smoking and exposure to air pollutants, in medical terms the cause of COPD is constant exposure to noxious stimuli causing injury to the lungs.

In a Philippine Lung Center study in one community, about 2 to 3% of the residents were found to be suffering or manifesting symptoms of COPD.

COPD is much like the symptoms of asthma, where affected persons experience persistent coughing and breathlessness. However a Spirometry test is used to determine if indeed the person has COPD.

The doctors advised persons manifesting symptoms of COPD to immediately consult a physician so that proper tests can be done.

Depending on the severity of the disease, an average patient will spend about P5,000 to P6,000 a month on medications, these will include anticholinergics, long-acting bronchodilators, inhale steroids, mucolytics and antibiotics plus anti-pneumonia and anti-flu vaccines since persons with COPD are now prone to these diseases.

Marcos says that prevention is better than cure and the best way is to quit smoking as studies show, many affected with COPD are smokers, he says that even if Davao City has stringent rules against smoking, the disease is still prevalent.