COPD Irreversible, Half of Smokers May Be Affected
AM730 · 1 SOURCESabout 12 hours ago5 MIN
Summary
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a progressive respiratory illness whose airway obstruction cannot be completely reversed, and it is listed among Hong Kong’s 10 leading causes of death . Many patients are only diagnosed when symptoms such as chronic cough and breathlessness on exertion become obvious, by which time they are often already in stage three and have only around 30% to 40% lung function remaining . Respiratory specialist 林冰 said smoking is the main cause in the vast majority of cases, with newer data indicating that half of smokers may be found to have COPD . He also warned that acute exacerbations triggered by infections or pollution can rapidly worsen lung function and increase the risk of long-term disability and hospitalization .
Key Points
- 林冰 said most COPD cases are caused by smoking, and newer data show about half of smokers may eventually be found to have the disease .
- COPD is divided into four stages by lung function, but many patients are diagnosed only at stage three after chronic cough or exertional breathlessness appears .
- Standard diagnosis requires spirometry blow tests to assess airway obstruction, while CT scans can reveal emphysema and help confirm severity .
- Acute flare-ups often involve worse cough, more sputum, and severe breathlessness, commonly triggered by viral infections, dust exposure, or air pollution .
- Treatment includes smoking cessation, inhaled bronchodilators and selected steroids, newer nebulized oral drugs, biologics for eosinophils above 0.3, and bronchoscopic lung reduction .
Why It Matters
The report highlights how COPD is often detected late, after substantial and irreversible lung damage has already occurred, making early recognition of persistent cough and breathlessness especially important . It also underscores that smoking remains the dominant risk factor, while pollution and harmful cooking smoke can endanger non-smokers as well, broadening the public health implications beyond tobacco users alone .