Most smokers unaware of chronic lung disorders

Most smokers unaware of chronic lung disorders

Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Many smokers are unaware of the chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD) they may suffer after years of smoking,
pulmonologists said on Monday.

They said COPD was often overlooked by both the public and
doctors who often confused the disease with asthma or other
illnesses.

CPOD, which ranks as one of the five deadliest killers in the
world, does not have clear symptoms until between 15 years and 20
years of constant smoking, when a person's lungs have lost 60
percent of their function.

"Not all smokers suffer from COPD, however, because of genetic
factors. Some smokers can even live over 70 years old," Handiarto
Mangunnegoro, a pulmonologist at the University of Indonesia,
said during the launch of the Association of Indonesian COPD
Expert Committee (ICEC). Handiarto heads the association.

COPD is a term to describe the air flow obstruction, which is
associated mainly to emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

Emphysema causes irreversible lung damage that restricts the
flow of air in the lungs, while chronic bronchitis results in
inflammation that causes an increase in mucus and bacterial
infections that block the bronchial tubes.

Both conditions decrease the lungs' ability to take in oxygen
and remove carbon dioxide. The combination of too little oxygen
and too much carbon dioxide in the blood may have an impact on
the brain, causing a variety of other health problems, including
headaches, sleeplessness, impaired mental ability and
irritability.

Data shows that 80 percent to 90 percent of COPD cases are
caused by smoking. The World Health Organization (WHO) has
estimated that some 2.74 million deaths are caused by COPD every
year, with more than 600 million people in the world suffering
from the disease.

Pradjnaparamita, another member of ICEC, said the new drug for
COPD disease called bronchodylator orthycologic will be available
in drug stores across the country by April.

"Actually, smokers have to stop smoking by the time COPD
symptoms are found in their lungs. They also have to undergo a
series of rehabilitation measures to keep their lungs fully
functional," Pradjnaparamita said.

She said breathing exercises were good therapy for smokers who
suffer from COPD.

Smokers should take a spyrometry test, a medical treatment to
find out whether or not they are suffering from COPD. This test
is available at Persahabatan Hospital in East Jakarta, Pelni
Hospital in Central Jakarta, Jakarta Respiratory Center in South
Jakarta and Mitra Hospital in the North Jakarta area of Kelapa
Gading. The hospitals have been selected for the pilot project
for COPD medication in the capital.

The new association also offered services ranging from
consultation to training. For further information smokers can
contact the association's hotline at 0-800-7338547278 (or 0-800-
PEDULI-PARU).