What is COPD, the disease that Raquel Pankowsky suffered

Mexico is mourning the news of the death of actress Raquel Pankowsky, known for her participation in Mexican television in Carousel, A Hook to the Heart and Dad to Toda Madre.

This Monday, March 28, the National Association of Interpreters (ANDI) published the tragic news. Although not officially released, actress suffered for several years from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). According to a bulletin published in April 2021 by the National Medical Library, in the last 30 years global mortality from COPD has increased by 163%, it is the third leading cause of death in the world and the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that it will remain so until 2030.

A graph from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) shows that in Mexico chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases are among the top ten causes of death in people who die after the age of 55.

According to a report by La Clínica Mayo, a non-profit organization in the United States, COPD is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that causes airflow obstruction to the lungs.

There are several causes that could cause this disease such as long-term exposure to irritating gases or particles of matter. It should be noted that this disease is more common to suffer from it because of the smoke caused by cigarettes.

COPD is capable of developing other conditions such as heart disease, lung cancer, and other conditions, but it can also be caused by emphysema and chronic bronchitis. The latter two usually occur together and their severity can vary between people.

“Chronic bronchitis is inflammation of the lining of the bronchi, which carries air to and from the air sacs (alveoli) of the lungs. It is characterized by daily coughing and mucus (sputum) production. Emphysema is a condition in which the alveoli at the end of the smallest air passages (bronchioles) in the lungs are destroyed as a result of harmful exposure to cigarette smoke and other irritating gases and particles.”

Unfortunately this disease is treatable, however, it is incurable. People with this condition should immediately attend to the doctor and follow his recommendations to the letter, over time you can achieve good control of symptoms and even avoid suffering related diseases.

Symptoms include shortness of breath, especially during physical activity, wheezing (whistling, squeaky sound when breathing), chest tightness, chronic cough that can produce mucus (sputum) that may be clear, white, yellow or greenish, and frequent respiratory infections. It may also be felt in lack of energy, involuntary weight loss (in later stages), and swelling in the ankles, feet or legs.

Symptoms do not usually appear in the first few months, it takes about 12 months to manifest among most patients. When COPD arises from smoking, it usually worsens over time and is more likely to increase if smoking or exposure to cigarettes is continued .

According to research by the Mayo Clinic, it is important to treat it as soon as possible to prevent this disease from getting worse.

“Talk to your doctor if your symptoms don't improve with treatment or get worse, or if you notice symptoms of an infection, such as fever or a change in sputum. Seek immediate medical attention if you can't catch your breath, if you experience intense blue coloration to your lips or nail beds (cyanosis), or a rapid heartbeat, or if you feel confused and have trouble concentrating.”

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