Breathing when climbing stairs and breathing difficult when dressing up...Increased COPD Cases in Cold Winds
Nov 30, 2025
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COPD is a disease in which the airways and alveoli are inflamed due to smoking, occupational groups exposed to dust and gas, indoor and outdoor air pollution, and repeated respiratory infections, which gradually damage the lungs. Among them, smoking is the biggest cause, and 70-80% of all patients are related to smoking. Noxious substances in cigarette smoke destroy lung tissue and narrow the bronchial tubes, eventually making it difficult to breathe.
The main symptom is increasingly severe dyspnea and may be accompanied by chronic cough or phlegm. In the early stages, it appears to be difficult to breathe when climbing stairs or breathing on days with a lot of fine dust, but if the disease progresses, breathing can be difficult even in short-distance walking or wearing clothes. In particular, smokers often regard these symptoms as simple 'smoke aftereffects', so caution is needed.
Choi Joon-young, a professor of respiratory medicine at the Catholic University of Korea's Incheon St. Mary's Hospital, said "If COPD is left unattended, oxygen saturation may decrease and cardiopulmonary function may be life-threatening."In particular, smokers over 40 years of age or those who are professionally exposed to dust must be checked early through a lung function test," he stressed.
COPD can be diagnosed with a simple lung function test. It is a key diagnostic method to check whether air flow is restricted by measuring lung capacity and forced air volume (FEV1) for one second. It is also used to check for abnormalities in lung structure through chest X-rays or CT scans and to discriminate against other respiratory diseases such as lung cancer and pulmonary tuberculosis. Early detection can slow the progression of the disease and prevent exacerbation by medication and lifestyle improvements.
The key to treatment is smoking cessation. Smoking cessation is the only fundamental treatment that can slow the progression of COPD, and it is known that the rate of lung function decline is alleviated immediately after smoking cessation. Drug treatment such as inhalation-type bronchodilators or inhalation steroids helps relieve symptoms and slow down exacerbations. For severely ill patients, oxygen therapy and respiratory rehabilitation therapy are performed at the same time. Regular exercise and breathing training are also effective in improving symptoms.
In addition, COPD patients are vulnerable to respiratory infections, so flu and pneumococcal vaccinations are recommended. In winter or in-between seasons, it is necessary to maintain indoor humidity at 40-60% and wear a mask to avoid exposure to cold air and fine dust. Sufficient water intake and a balanced diet also help maintain lung health.
Professor Choi Joon-young said, "COPD is a disease that can be sufficiently controlled by early diagnosis and steady management" and added, "If you have symptoms of breathlessness, it is important to get an accurate diagnosis through a lung function test. If you practice smoking cessation, regular check-ups, and vaccination, you can keep breathing healthy.'
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This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
