Warning over epidemic of chronic lung disease

Chronic lung disease affects people of all ages in Ireland, a leading doctor said today.

Dr Charles Gallagher, President of the Irish Thoracic Society, said serious breathing illnesses are the most common cause of disability in people under 45 years of age.

“There is an epidemic of chronic lung disease in Ireland and it affects all age groups,” he said.

“We now know that chronic lung disease is the most common cause of disability in people under the age of 45 years.

“COPD, asthma and other chronic respiratory diseases are often undiagnosed and, when diagnosed, are often under-treated.

“There is excessive, and often inappropriate, use of over the counter medications for people with respiratory symptoms.

“The Irish Thoracic Society strongly recommends that people with respiratory symptoms should be assessed by their doctor.”

Dr Gallagher spoke out at the launch of a campaign aimed at encouraging people to stop smoking and to raise awareness of the killer disease, COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease).

Television personality Pamela Flood, who lost her mother to COPD, helped launch the initiative, which also aims to highlight the importance of getting one’s lungs tested.

“COPD is very close to my heart having experienced a personal loss due to this disease, therefore I am delighted to be involved in this COPD awareness campaign,” she said.

“Losing my mother was devastating and I want to do anything I can to raise awareness and help others affected by this disease.”

COPD is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide, alongside HIV/AIDS, claiming 2.75 million lives.

In Ireland COPD affects approximately 110,000 people accounting for almost a quarter of respiratory deaths in Ireland.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has indicated that Ireland has the second highest COPD mortality rate of 28 industrialised nations, behind only Hungary.

Cigarette smoking is the predominant cause of COPD, accounting for 80%-90% of the risk for developing the disease.

Research has shown that about 15% of all smokers develop COPD severe enough to cause symptoms, although this is likely to be an underestimation because COPD is under-diagnosed.

COPD is a complex respiratory disease causing multiple symptoms and therefore significant disability for patients. It covers a group of conditions including chronic bronchitis or emphysema.

By catching the disease early, there is greater chance of managing symptoms and ensuring that it does not reach the debilitating stage of chronic COPD.

The campaign was launched in the run-up to Ash Wednesday, which is National No Smoking Day.

According to recent research conducted with Irish GPs, the two key factors that limit the success rate of smoking cessation are patient motivation and stamina.

The research also indicates there are a number of ‘life stages’ at which a patient appears more open to giving up smoking include pregnancy in women, the beginning of middle age or at risk groups who have experienced common health problems associated with smoking.