Short of Breath? It Could Be COPD: Why Early Screening Is Critical

If you find yourself getting out of breath more easily than others, you should consider the possibility of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

COPD is a respiratory disease characterized by an abnormal inflammatory response in the lungs, typically caused by the inhalation of harmful particles or gases, such as those from smoking.

As the alveoli are damaged and the airways narrow, the path for air to exit becomes blocked, causing the lungs and bronchial tubes to deteriorate gradually over several years.

Once lung function has declined, it cannot be restored, making early diagnosis and treatment to prevent the disease from worsening more important than anything else.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are 251 million people with COPD worldwide, and approximately 3.17 million people die from the disease each year.

Despite its severity, awareness of the disease remains very low, with the prevalence of COPD among the population in their 40s in South Korea standing at only 3.2%.

This is because the majority of patients mistake their shortness of breath for a natural sign of aging and leave it untreated.

In fact, out of 1,000 actual patients aged 40 or older, only 23 are aware that they have the disease.

The national economic loss resulting from untreated COPD is estimated at 1.4 trillion won.

Because most patients are elderly, the burden of indirect costs, such as caregiving expenses, is significant.

Furthermore, experts warn that the condition is fatal; among those hospitalized due to an acute exacerbation of COPD, half pass away within about three years, and 75% succumb to the disease within seven years.

(Photo: Provided by Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.