Dr. Wimut Hospital reveals risk groups danger signal and how to maintain healthy lung health During the COVID-19 Still here and PM 2.5 dust is back
Lungs are one of the important internal organs of the body. which everyone learned as a child that humans breathe with lungs Because the lungs are an important part of the respiratory system. Acts as a gas exchange (gas exchange) by taking oxygen gas into the circulatory system (blood circulation) of the body and taking carbon dioxide produced from energy metabolism to burn food out of the body Oxygen the body receives from breathing from the lungs. enters the blood vessels And the heart pumps to the tissues of various organs in the body, so if the respiratory system, especially the lungs, does not work fully Affecting the functioning of tissues and other organs in the body itself.
Lung disease is the leading cause of death for the Thai population.
At present, lung diseases especially pneumonia began to be widely discussed After the world has to face infection with a new strain of coronavirus or COVID-19, which many times causes severe pneumonia that can lead to death. But some people may not know that, in fact, before COVID-19 It caused an epidemic problem all over the world, including in Thailand. It was found that the Thai population dies from cancer, especially lung cancer and pneumonia every year. Both respiratory diseases It is among the top five causes of death of the Thai population. In addition to ischemic heart disease and paralysis or paresis from cerebrovascular disease which is classified as an important non-communicable disease that is common in the Thai population (non-communicable diseases; NCD)
Today Assoc. Prof. Dr. Teerasak Kaewamatwong, a specialist in respiratory diseases and critical care medicine, The Internal Medicine Center at Vimut Hospital will come to answer questions about various diseases related to the lungs. Including the risk population trigger and factors that promote disease Danger signs that should not be ignored to guidelines for preventing lung disease that everyone should be able to do, such as taking care of lung health Avoid air pollutants, avoid allergens (aeroallergen) in patients with asthma and risk groups Including smoking cessation and vaccination to prevent respiratory infections. such as influenza and prevent pneumococcal infection caused by pneumococcus bacteria (pneumococcus) etc.
Doctors point out that people of all genders and ages are at risk of lung disease.
“Human lungs are not fully developed at birth. because of good lung function It requires continuous good growth from the womb. Prenatal and perinatal period The lungs are fully developed between the ages of 20 and 25. After that, they begin to stabilize and gradually deteriorate with age (aging lungs), but deteriorate quickly or slowly. It depends on a variety of factors that have an impact, such as pollution, symptoms, or respiratory infections, ”explained Assoc. Prof. Dr. Teerasak Kaewamatwong. Populations with pre-existing lung or respiratory diseases such as asthma or respiratory allergies. There is a chance that the lung function is not equal to that of the normal population. Or newborns who are small, low weight may have poor lung development. another factor Is a patient with a recurring lung infection, lung function has a chance to deteriorate more quickly. Combined with when such patients are exposed to triggers such as cigarette smoke or air pollution. For example, small particles in the air (particulate matter 2.5 or PM 2.5)n already cause bad lungs. The deterioration of pulmonary function is even faster.”
Causes of different types of lung disease
Pulmonary diseases are easily divided into two categories based on their pathogenic mechanisms: infectious diseases and non-infectious diseases. (non-infectious diseases), which we know as infectious lung diseases pneumonia from infection or pain and swelling, including COVID-19 There are also infections from other bacteria and viruses besides COVID-19, such as influenza and pulmonary tuberculosis. congenital and acquired diseases, congenital pulmonary disease, asthma or allergy often found in childhood having a family history of the disease which is difficult to prevent Due to genetic factors and factors during pregnancy or before birth, lung diseases that occur later Caused by lifestyle behavior (life style factors) or the surrounding environment. (environmental factors) such as smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke Increased emphysema or COPD and lung cancer. In addition, inhalation of air pollution such as PM 2.5 dust, air pollution arising from work or daily use These lung diseases caused by air pollution are more common in the Thai population, ”said Assoc. Doctors recommend observing your own symptoms before it’s late.
“The first warning sign is coughing. Especially chronic cough, number 2 is symptoms of shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, unusually easy to get tired when the chest is strong, number 3 is chest pain, which 3 symptoms were found in this patient. It is called a symptom that is related to lung and respiratory diseases, ”explained Assoc. Prof. Dr. Teerasak. Most of the time it’s not caused by a virus and won’t go away on its own. Investigation is required. As for the symptoms of breathlessness, difficulty breathing, it may or may not be related to the lungs, for example, it may be breathless because of anemia or heart disease. However, you should see a doctor to seriously assess and find the cause. Finally, for chest pain. Some people think that chest pain is just heart disease. It can be a symptom of lung disease as well, for example, a sharp pain at the mannequin area that can point out the painful point clearly. Associated with breathing or coughing (pleuritic chest pain), which is different from heart disease in which there is pain under the epigastric region. or pain in the left side of the chest that cannot clearly point out where the pain is And associated with exertion (anginal chest pain) with symptoms of sweating and palpitations, so if symptoms of breathlessness occur such chest pain or with a cough Such patients should come for examination in order to investigate the cause and receive further treatment.
Guidelines for keeping your lungs healthy and vaccines that help prevent lung infections.
For patients with a history of lung disease, such as asthma or allergies It is advisable to follow up on symptoms and see a doctor continuously. But if there is no congenital disease Prevention of exposure to triggers have a preventive effect on the occurrence of disease whether air pollution including cigarette smoke Both smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke People in these risk groups Should follow up with a doctor. in order to assess the risks and impacts of these factors on the occurrence of the disease in advance because if calm The disease can be severe and difficult to treat. “But for pneumonia especially airborne pathogens whether it’s a virus or bacteria that we can hardly avoid because they may get infected without knowing Prevention in vulnerable populations such as the elderly or high-risk patients who are likely to die from such infections in the respiratory system More than the general population in Thailand, in addition to vaccination against infection with the new strain of corona virus or COVID 19, there are also 2 vaccines that are injected to prevent infections in the respiratory tract and lungs, namely the influenza vaccine. with a vaccine against pneumococcal infection (pneumococcal vaccine), however, it is advisable to see a doctor for advice before vaccination. Recognition of respiratory diseases, risk factors and warning signs and preventive measures both factors from respiratory allergens air pollution, including tobacco smoke And infectious diseases in the respiratory tract are considered to be three factors (triple threats) that affect the lung health of Thai people today. with such an approach Helping to improve the health of the Thai population with lungs, ”Assoc. Prof. Dr. Teerasak concluded.
People who are interested in the services of the Internal Medicine Center of the hospital. Vimut to see a specialist in respiratory disease and respiratory crisis. You can ask for details at the Internal Medicine Center, 3rd floor, Wimut Hospital or use telemedicine services to consult a doctor online via ViMUT Application, click https://bit.ly/372qexX
