Breath Easy! Get Rid avoid COPD

Had a very gloomy start of November this year as my aunt got this pulmonary disease due to smoking. Although, I know there is more to it than just that, my aunt is a street cleaner here in Cebu preferably the Mandaue City area. She was having cough for several days already and that she also acquired fever and several chills by night time. I was really afraid that she got infected with rabies since she was bitten by her pet kitten the time she took bath of her.



I don't know how I can celebrate the Halloween with my aunt in the hospital.

She collapsed the morning she was sent to Vicente Sotto. And her mouth was bubbling. (nagbuwa)
My sister then called me up and said the sad news. -that my Mama Cora was admitted.

Based on the symptoms, I can really tell that she is having that disease called COPD or better known as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

What is COPD?

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is not one single disease but an umbrella term used to describe chronic lung diseases that cause limitations in lung airflow. The more familiar terms 'chronic bronchitis' and 'emphysema' are no longer used, but are now included within the COPD diagnosis.

The most common symptoms of COPD are breathlessness, or a 'need for air', excessive sputum production, and a chronic cough. However, COPD is not just simply a "smoker's cough", but a under-diagnosed, life threatening lung disease that may progressively lead to death. 

http://www.who.int/respiratory/copd/en/

Smoking in itself is really a SILENT KILLER!

Last year, my Tatay also got the dreadful disease and it complicated with his heart as well. He was admitted at the same hospital and boy! the experience made him surrender to it!
Emergency Ward at Vicente Sotto is not the safe haven you would want to get treated, mind you.
Worst comes to worst in this place. =(

Main risk factors for COPD

• Tobacco smoking
• Indoor air pollution (such as biomass fuel used for cooking and heating)
• Outdoor air pollution
• Occupational dusts and chemicals (vapors, irritants, and fumes)

My tatay also worked as a carpenter before which exposed him to severe dusts and irritants. =(
The experience was heart breaking for us - our family, financially and emotionally!
Thankfully, my Tatay stopped this smoking addiction and has gotten back to the good old times of his physique. He has gained much (enough) weight!

As of this writing, Mama Cora will be going home soon and will wait for her LAB results for us to check on the medicines recommended by the Doctor as an OPD.

Smoking Kills!