The ‘Take a Deep Breath’ Program

According to the World Health Organization, COPD ranks fourth among the most common causes of death, following heart disease, stroke, and pneumonia.[1] The number of COPD patients in Poland is estimated to be over 2 million, representing 5 percent of the population. [2]

- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease develops insidiously over many years and produces no symptoms in its early stages. Coughing, which is initially ignored by cigarette smokers, is its first symptom. A proper diagnosis is not made until the patient presents to the doctor with dyspnea during activities that they used to be able to carry out easily. Unfortunately, in a large proportion of patients, exertional dyspnea only appears in advanced stages of the disease. COPD destroys the respiratory system and progressively reduces lung volume. Therefore, prevention and early detection of the disease is extremely important – says Edyta Jacyna, who is a TU Zdrowie medical consultant.

The main symptoms of COPD:

• chronic cough;
• difficult expectoration of secretions from the airways;
• increasing dyspnea.

- Smoking is considered the main trigger of COPD. Stopping smoking is the most effective method of prevention and treatment. At the same time, it is the only fully proven method of inhibiting the progression of the disease. “Other factors contributing to the development of COPD include environmental pollution, as well as the use of coal and gas at home for cooking and heating in poorly ventilated rooms –  says Edyta Jacyna, who is a TU Zdrowie medical consultant.

Take a deep breath

The “Take a deep breath” project aims to raise awareness of the factors that cause chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Residents of the Świętokrzyskie, Podkarpackie and Małopolskie provinces can receive free preventive examinations for lung diseases, counselling on how to effectively quit smoking and raise awareness of harmful factors in the work environment.

An Antismoking Clinic has been opened at John Paul II Specialist Hospital in Krakow, where patients may make appointments with addiction treatment specialists, psychologists, psychiatrists and have spirometry tests done. Educational activities on COPD prevention are also organized there. It can be used not only by compulsive smokers, but also:

• people who work in conditions that expose them to harmful factors that predispose them to COPD;
• occupational safety and health workers;
• nurses and primary care physicians as well as occupational medicine physicians.

Spirometry is the primary test to determine lung capacity and diagnose COPD. The NEUCA Foundation for Health points out the low availability of spirometry tests, therefore they organize mobile clinics where patients can have their lungs checked for free and receive professional health advice. During each examination, qualified medical staff will be present on site to perform tests and provide professional advice on the prevention of respiratory diseases.

TU Zdrowie supports the fight against COPD

- The TU Zdrowie Insured can take part in a training on the prevention of COPD. For their participation, in addition to a certificate, they will also receive a set of APTEO vitamins. The entire course, including watching educational videos and completing questionnaires, takes about 60 minutes  – says Teresa Domańska, Director of the Health Insurance Office of TU Zdrowie.

The course is available at  https://fundacjaneuca.eszkolenia.info/rejestracja/.

[1] Mathers CD, Loncar D. Projections of global mortality and burden of disease from 2002 to 2030. PLoS Med 2006;3:e442.

[2] Jahns-Różyk K. Pneumologia i Alergologia Polska 2011; 79:337-342