Andhra Pradesh - Kurnool   

COPD fourth leading cause of deaths: expert

KURNOOL: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is the fourth leading cause of the death in the world, retired chest physician G. Kullayappa has said.

Talking to reporters in connection with the celebrations of World COPD Day on November 18, Dr. Kullayappa said 30 lakh people died of the disease every year in the world while smoking was the major cause of the disease.

A smoker was exposed to 4,000 harmful substances contained in the cigarette. Dr. Kullayappa pointed out that out of 20 cigars smoked by a primary smoker, three would definitely be shared by other non-smokers. Even the passive smokers were exposed to health hazards, he said.

As per the Indian standards, a COPD patient was spending Rs. 32,000 a year. If the victims quit smoking in the initial stage, the damage has chances of being reversible, he said.

He said Chennai was considered the city having the highest number of smokers while the total number in the country going up to 250 million. The disease could be diagnosed under a simple lung function test.

He underscored the need to exercise control over smoking as a habit or rather abstaining from it as a safe preventive. A certain amount of counselling might also help smokers quit the habit in their own interest before things totally went out of hand, he opined. Other pollutants likely to cause COPD and allergy are vehicular emissions, dust and smoke.

Meanwhile, T. Srinivasulu, MLC, called for greater awareness about HIV infection to protecte youth from the dreadful disease. Addressing an awareness programme about HIV prevention for elected representatives here on Tuesday, he said the HIV infection reached only those who led a reckless and immoral life.

He emphasised on the need for awareness campaigns in rural areas on a priority basis. ZP Chief A. Venkata Swamy, expressed concern over the alarming rate at which the disease is spreading in certain vulnerable pockets even now.

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