The two most important things to talk about COPD are lifestyle modification and breaking the myth about inhaler therapy. COPD is a controllable disease. To keep it under control, it is important to take the proper medicine at a proper time via proper methods. Medicine needs to be continued. It is a kind of disease that does not take too much time to recur or to worsen. Seasonal changes, subtle temperature changes in AC rooms are some of the reasons which can cause exacerbation of the disease. So, it should be kept in mind that you cannot stop taking the medicines or the inhaler without a doctor’s consultation.

Another important thing related to the inhaler is that steroids are used in some inhalers which is extremely important to combat inflammation during COPD exacerbation. Since many people have some preconceived notion about steroid, it is important to know that steroid is a kind of medicine that is if taken into proper dose, proper way, and in proper technique, works as  life savior. We just need to keep in mind that after taking an inhaler if we gargle properly then the minimum side effects of steroid inhalation can also be avoided. So there is no reason to be unnecessarily scared of steroids.

Inhaler therapy is the cornerstone of COPD treatment. For example, do you wear specs elsewhere than your eyes? Just like that when COPD or any lungs related problems set in, it is more effective to deliver the medicine directly in the air passage. If it is a metered-dose inhaler then it has to be taken with a spacer. In the present time, some new breath-actuated inhalers are also available in the market which delivers the drug only when you inhale. There is a dry powder inhaler as well which is available in capsule form and is used with the help of a machine. There are different type of inhalers that delivers the drug i.e. the bronchodilator properly in the airway. These drugs work on the receptors and that provide bronchodilation and eventually help to breathe properly. So therefore inhaler is a very important part and parcel of the treatment of this disease.

The second point of discussion is lifestyle modification in COPD. The cornerstone of the treatment of COPD is smoking cessation. Another important cause apart from smoking is automobile emission, smog, air pollution. In Delhi, those who don’t smoke but are inhaling the smog( happening currently) are equal to inhaling 20 cigarettes per day. In Kolkata also the inhalation of smog is equal to 7 to 10 cigarettes per day. So, besides smoking cessation, it is important to cut down on automobile emissions.

The third most important thing is vaccination. Alongside COVID vaccines it is very important to take influenza and pneumonia vaccines. For those who have COPD or other lungs related problems, those who have crossed the age of 50 and the healthcare workers, influenza and pneumonia vaccinations are of utmost importance to them. The vaccines should be taken according to the schedule suggested by the doctor. The vaccine reduces the severity of pneumonia along with stay in hospital.

Some other important things that should be kept in mind are to not have refrigerated food, warm water while taking shower and it is also necessary to properly dry up after taking the shower. Those who go out for a morning walk or evening walk they should keep in mind that the particulate matters in the air are maximum during the early morning and evening, especially during the winter. So it is advised to walk after sunlight comes out. Another important thing that should be kept in mind during the COVID time is to maintain social distancing, proper use of masks, and sanitization. So these things should be kept in mind to keep yourself fit and healthy.

About the author-Dr. Angshuman Mukherjee, consultant pulmonologist, Fortis Hospital, Anandapur, Kolkata