Around 800,000 persons in Belgium suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a widespread and progressive lung disease.
However, this is only the tip of the iceberg, as many cases go undiagnosed, St Francis Hospital in Heusden-Zolder, Limburg, pointed out on Wednesday, World COPD Day.
A ‘cycling challenge’ was organised by the hospital to mark the Day, with 48 patients and nurses covering almost 250 kilometres in a four-hour relay race. Visitors and patients were also able to have their lung function measured and experience what it is like to breathe like a person with COPD.
COPD is a disease that damages the lungs. As a result, patients have less oxygen, find it harder to breathe and are more often tired.
"You do not realise how serious this disease is until you're out of breath yourself in everyday life," said COPD patient Jean-Paulo Laginestra. "You feel that it becomes more difficult to climb stairs and breathe."
According to Dr Tanja Kluyt of St Francis Hospital, inflammation of the airways is caused by substances we breathe in. "Smoking is the main cause," she explained
The disease is largely incurable. However, much can be done to combat it and limit lung damage and symptoms.
Early diagnosis is essential to preserve lung function for as long as possible.
