In the World COPD Day, Dr. Alberto Lopez Araoz, specialist in charge of Bronchoscopy Service at Hospital Universitario Austral, explains about the disease, which can even be the third cause of death in the year 2020.
It is characterized by severe decrease of airflow and it causes major changes in the daily lives of those who suffer from it: Climbing stairs, bathing and dressing can become complicated tasks.
Doctor Lopez Araoz says that COPD is today a major cause of death, and even the only one that has increased the rate of death, without mentioning that up to 75% of people who suffer from the disease show serious difficulties to carry on daily activities such as dressing, bathing or going up or down the stairs. For all these reasons, it is essential to learn about specific situations such as Sandro’s disease (Sandro is an Argentine singer).
He also adds that “A significant number of patients are unaware of their disease and overlook the early symptoms, thus missing the opportunity to prevent the disease from developing in the early stages, through a simple test of the lung function. So, this COPD World Day, offers the chance to make the effort to raise awareness about the disease and its warning signs, which will allow the diagnosis at an early stage. It is also a good ‘excuse’ to warn about the risks of smoking and other environmental contaminants that should be avoided.
Dr. Araoz, who also chairs the Argentine Association of Respiratory Medicine (AAMR), whose institution will perform free breathing tests in different parts of the country, requests people to “come over to have a test done in which they will have to answer two questionnaires. This will allow doctors to know about each person’s particular case and recommend the appropriate treatment.
Lopez Araoz concludes stating that: “Part of our project is to carry out an intensive informative activity and to mount a continuous interaction with those responsible for public health policies, in order to develop an effective and applicable legislation on tobacco control; and also to ensure and facilitate public access to diagnostic and therapeutic resources.”
Dr. Alberto Lopez Araoz
Chief of Bronchoscopy
Hospital Universitario Austral – www.hospitalaustral.edu.ar
President of the Argentina Association of Respiratory Medicine (AAMR)
Dr. Head of Respiratory Endoscopy of the Chest Hospital Dr. A. Cetrángolo”
15 4 419 5179
lopezaraoz@gmail.com
Ms. Mariana Israel
Press
Hospital Universitario Austral
misrael@cas.austral.edu.ar | www.hospitalaustral.edu.ar
Av Presidente Perón 1500 | B1629ODT | Pilar | BA
Tel. 54 2322 48 2522 | 48 2878
Cell 54 011 15 6426 3280
