Severe symptoms were mistaken for COVID-19! Doctors reveal the "four highs" crisis of pulmonary obstruction: the risk of worsening is 9 times higher
Severe symptoms were mistaken for COVID-19! Doctors reveal the “four highs” crisis of pulmonary obstruction
If you usually have symptoms such as cough, phlegm, chest tightness, and shortness of breath, be careful, it may be caused by pulmonary obstruction (COPD)! Chronic lower respiratory diseases have been among the top ten causes of death in Taiwan for many years, causing an average of more than 6,000 deaths every year. Among them, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is one of the common chronic diseases in Taiwan, according to the Taiwan Society of Thoracic and Intensive Care Medicine. The latest survey shows that patients with a history of worsening pulmonary obstruction and other high-risk factors are nine times more likely to worsen than low-risk patients. The seriousness should not be underestimated.
“Those with cardiovascular comorbidities have a 4.4-fold increased risk of pulmonary obstruction.” High-risk factors for pulmonary obstruction include obvious respiratory symptoms (cough, phlegm, wheezing, stuffiness), frequent sputum production, cardiovascular comorbidities, and a history of worsening pulmonary obstruction. Central cardiovascular comorbidities are a problem that was often ignored in the past. When the heart and lungs are affected at the same time, the overall health will be hit by a double attack; Dr. Ke Xinguo, a member of the Public Affairs Committee of the Taiwan Thoracic and Intensive Care Medicine Society, pointed out that patients with pulmonary obstruction are facing high mortality, high hospitalization rates, high deterioration rates and high The “four high” crisis of comorbidity rates. In view of the high prevalence of chronic respiratory diseases in Taiwan, pulmonary obstruction should enter the era of optimized treatment.
Five key care interventions to avoid the “four highs” crisis of pulmonary obstruction
The biggest risk factor for pulmonary obstruction is smoking, and 90% of pulmonary obstruction is related to it. Dr. Zhou Kunda, secretary-general of the Taiwan Society of Thoracic and Intensive Care Medicine, said that long-term inhalation of toxic substances, including air pollution, smoking and other factors, will cause respiratory tract and lung diseases. The destruction of the lungs leads to a series of symptoms and creates the characteristics of the “four highs”. 30% to 60% of patients will have cardiovascular diseases. Some patients with pulmonary obstruction in Taiwan may even be classified as pneumonia or new coronavirus infection, causing the condition to be classified as underestimate.
In fact, the symptoms of pulmonary obstruction are similar to those of a cold. Especially in autumn and winter, the symptoms are more likely to be aggravated. However, by the time the patient notices it and seeks medical examination, the disease has often entered a serious course. If the respiratory tract continues to be inflamed and the lung function gradually deteriorates, eventually the patient will become ill. It will cause irreversibility; Dr. Ke Xinguo mentioned that in the face of the “four highs” crisis of patients with pulmonary obstruction, five key care interventions should be made, including smoking cessation, pulmonary rehabilitation, nutritional assessment, vaccine administration, and drug treatment, in order to stabilize the disease control.
Non-smoking patients with pulmonary obstruction reduce their risk of worsening by 29%. Doctor: Smoking cessation is the key
According to the latest report data, patients with pulmonary obstruction who have never smoked can reduce the risk of worsening by 29% and the risk of cardiovascular disease by 22% compared with those who have quit smoking and have been smoking for a long time; those who have been vaccinated have a lower risk of moderate to severe deterioration than those who have not yet been vaccinated. 13%; Dr. Ke Xinguo explained that smoking cessation is a factor in reducing acute exacerbations. Judging from the report, the difference lies in reducing the number of hospitalizations and mortality, which is a great help to patients. The key lies in how to prevent acute exacerbations of pulmonary obstruction, which must be taken into account. Promote jointly at different levels.
In addition, helping patients perform pulmonary rehabilitation is also the key to staying away from the “four highs” crisis; Dr. Ke Xinguo said that pulmonary rehabilitation is not uncommon and the implementation method is not complicated. The research report found that compared with those who did not receive pulmonary rehabilitation, the risk of moderate to severe deterioration was reduced by 34%. However, currently only 20% of patients have performed pulmonary rehabilitation, indicating that more active health education and promotion are needed.
In order to help Taiwanese avoid the threat of pulmonary obstruction, the Taiwan Health Promotion Administration continues to promote smoking cessation services, and also provides the “Pulmonary Obstruction Self-Assessment Questionnaire (PUMA)” and “pulmonary function tests” to implement the “early screening and early treatment” plan; Ke Xinguo mentioned The Pulmonary Obstruction Self-Assessment Questionnaire is a relatively quick survey method. As long as people with symptoms are willing, they can understand their own conditions through the questionnaire. However, the most important thing is the follow-up examination. People can go to medical institutions for pulmonary function tests. Reduce complicated examinations and make treatment more efficient.
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