This is the magnitude of COPD in Mexico

There's a public health problem that has taken on a significant dimension in Mexico. Here are the facts:

Due to estimates indicating that One in 10 Mexicans over the age of 40 will develop Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). , the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) called on the population to avoid risk factors that favor the development of this condition and to visit their family doctor periodically for a health check-up, in order to prevent or detect any condition in a timely manner.

Dr. Ricardo Lemus Rangel, adult pulmonologist at the High Specialty Medical Unit (UMAE) of the General Hospital of the National Medical Center (CMN) La Raza, highlighted that The main risk factor for suffering from COPD is the consumption of tobacco or any of its derivatives, in addition to the continuous exposure of the respiratory tract to toxic particles such as carbon dioxide. .

"In countries like ours, where we still unfortunately have a high use of firewood, coal, and oil, mainly in rural areas, especially for preparing food, and unfortunately, those who will be most affected are women," he said.

The Social Security specialist indicated that The main symptoms of this disease are: chronic cough, usually accompanied by phlegm, and difficulty breathing. .

"If for any reason there is a patient or person who has this risk factor, who already has any of the symptoms we've mentioned and doesn't know if they have the disease, they can go to their family doctor so they can do the appropriate thing and see if that patient has the disease," he said.

He reported that COPD is characterized by significant obstruction in the patient's respiratory airway, due to an inflammatory problem within the entire bronchial tree, and as it progresses, respiratory difficulty increases .

Dr. Lemus Rangel explained that this condition begins to appear in patients over 40 years of age because these people have had to spend several years exposed to cigarette smoke, wood smoke, or substances toxic to the airway in their work environment .

"That's why we're going to see the highest prevalence in adults over 40, and the older people are, the higher the prevalence of the disease. We're going to find that one in every 10 Mexicans over 40 will have COPD," he emphasized.

He commented that mortality from this disease has increased, unlike other types, such as some cancers, where prevalence and mortality have decreased. "Overall, more than 3 million people die from this disease each year worldwide. In Mexico, between 10,000 and 15,000 people die from it each year."

The pulmonologist explained that it is necessary to raise awareness among the population so they can reduce their exposure to risk factors in order to prevent its development. This is also necessary to ensure timely diagnoses, which will allow for a better impact on the prognosis and progression of this incurable disease.

"If we detect it early and implement appropriate treatment, fortunately, at the institutional level, we have the resources to diagnose and prescribe the correct treatment. Therefore, doing so in a timely manner will allow us to modify the course and progression of the disease," he asserted.

The specialist from the UMAE General Hospital of CMN La Raza added that for those diagnosed with COPD, appropriate pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment is established to prevent an adverse prognosis.

With information from the IMSS

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