Health experts on Wednesday suggested checking all sorts of air pollution and smoking to save lives from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
It is possible to prevent COPD by discouraging people from smoking, they observed at an event marking COPD Day.
Public awareness guidelines were launched on the occasion of the day.
This year the theme of the day is 'Breathing is life-act earlier'.
The experts placed the suggestion while addressing a scientific seminar on the occasion of the day, organised by the Department of Respiratory Medicine of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU).
BSMMU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Md Sharfuddin Ahmed addressed the event as the chief guest.
AKM Mosharraf Hossain Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic) chaired the seminar.
Prof Ahmed said, "COPD is a complex disease of the respiratory system. This is one of the leading non-communicable diseases. The disease ranks third among all causes of death worldwide."
"COPD can be prevented by avoiding smoking and creating a pollution-free environment," he added.
COPD can be largely eradicated by avoiding all forms of smoke, including factory smoke, stopping tobacco cultivation, and banning the sale of tobacco products, he suggested.
Smoking is the main cause of COPD; so all concerned should be warned about this, he said.
He also said like all over the world, the number of patients suffering from this disease is increasing day by day in Bangladesh.
At least three million people die and at least 300 million people are affected by this disease worldwide every year.
The disease can be easily prevented by reducing indoor air pollution, protecting people from the harmful side of biofuels and discouraging people from smoking.
BSMMU Pro-Vice Chancellor (academic) AKM Mosharraf Hossain said in this disease, long-term cough, breathing problems etc. gradually disappear.
Problems become more pronounced with age and eventually reach such a stage that the patients suffer from breathlessness even during their daily activities.
At the same time, COPD causes other complications such as heart disease, muscle weakness, weight loss, depression, lung cancer etc, said the speakers.
Therefore, importance should be given to disease prevention. Early detection and treatment of this disease will reduce the burden on the health sector, they noted.
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