• Location:Taiwan
• Date: 2019/10/04
• Update Date:2020/07/20
• Clicks:319

Chronic lower respiratory disease is No. 7 among the top 10 causes of death in Taiwan, and 6.1% of the country’s adults over the age of 40 suffer from obstructive lung disease. Obstructive lung disease is a type of irreversible respiratory disease, and the typical symptoms include chronic coughing, thick phlegm, wheezing, and feeling breathless while exercising. Long-term smoking has been proven to be a major cause of obstructive lung disease. A total of 80% of the deaths from obstructive lung disease are related to smoking, and the risk of getting the disease and smoking time (years)

are directly proportional. In other words, the longer a person has been smoking, the higher that person’s risk for developing obstructive lung disease.

One-Minute Testing for Early Diagnosis and Treatment of Obstructive Lung Disease

International research has pointed out that the misdiagnosis rate for obstructive lung disease is as high as 70%. Misdiagnosis and unsuitable treatment have a significant effect on the patients’ quality of life, and they also create medical resource waste. Since the early symptoms are easily confused with those of colds, asthma, or other respiratory diseases. Many patients have ignored the symptoms or delayed treatment, missing the best time to combat the disease.

We encourage citizens who often suffer from chronic coughing, thick phlegm, or other respiratory disease symptoms to take a look at “The Handbook for Obstructive Lung Disease” published by the Health Promotion Administration and the Taiwan Society of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine. The handbook includes a one-minute questionnaire (please see the attachment), which enables self-assessment of smoking habits, living environment, and physiological symptoms. You can also utilize the “One-Minute 358 Test” created by the Taiwan Society of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine (Note 1) to assess lung functions. If these tests reveal any unusual conditions, please seek professional medical assistance as soon as possible.

The Most Important First Step toward Avoiding Obstructive Lung Disease: Stop Smoking

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OCPD) is a kind of irreversible respiratory disease resulted from chronical lung inflammation. The risks for smokers is 6.3 times higher than non-smokers, and 45% of the deaths caused by such disease are related to cigarette usage. Giving up on smoking can significantly improve one’s health condition. Citizens trying to quit smoking can seek professional help from Health Promotion Administration’s free hotline 0800-63-63-63, or contact smoking cessation clinics at local hospitals or public health centers. ‘The Handbook for Obstructive Lung Disease’ provides diverse content for life care, including the causes of obstructive lung disease, comorbidity, nutrition care, medication, and exercise advice. The handbook can be downloaded from this link: https://reurl.cc/9al0d

Note 1:

0~30 Steps: If one is unable to climb 30 steps within a minute, they fall under high risk group. Please assess your own smoking history and symptoms related to coughing, phlegm, and stridor, and complete a check-up as soon as possible.

30~50 Steps: If one is able to climb 30-50 steps within a minute, they fall under medium risk group and must pay extra attention to their own lung functions.

50~80 Steps: If one is able to climb more than 50 steps within a minute, they fall under low risk group and have healthy lung functions.