- January 22, 2025
When we climb the stairs and have a slight breathlessness, we often think that we are getting older, so it's nothing serious. Unfortunately, such symptoms should be an alarm for us. Very often they prove that we have a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. You should then see your GP and ask for a referral to a spirometry test or a pulmonologist.
- For some time now, as part of the Polish Lung Campaign, we have been researching the condition of Polish lungs. Sometimes the results are very worrying. I remember the case of a man who, according to the metric, was 63 years old, according to the examination of the condition of his lungs they were 97 years old," says newsrm.tv Anna Zmyj, a spirometry nurse.
Research is extremely important because chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is often detected too late. Only 25% of COPD patients have a diagnosed disease. Its symptoms are often confused with other ailments such as worse condition. The disease develops unnoticed for many years, and the visible deterioration in health is already when the disease cannot be cured. That is why lung examination is so important. Early detection of the disease will help to alleviate its development.
- Regular lung examinations are necessary at all ages. Surveys such as spirometry must not be neglected, because it allows us to detect the disease at an early stage. In lung problems, speed of action counts. The earlier we learn about the disease and diagnose it, the better for our health, because earlier we can start treatment. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease does not give clear symptoms. Patients with shortness of breath often confuse it with the lack of regular sporting activities, not suspecting that the real cause may be illness. That's why I encourage everyone to do research, and actions such as the one on Polish Television will help to raise awareness of the problem in society," emphasizes Dr. Elżbieta Puścińska, an expert of the Polish Lung Diseases Association.
As part of the Polish Lungs campaign, a free spirometric tests campaign was organised especially for the employees of the Polish Television. At the stand located on the premises of TVP, everyone could check what is the largest volume of air they could get after exhalation. Thanks to this, the subjects could learn about their lung capacity in life. In addition, there was a custom "Catch your bus" application at the stand, and the hostess conducted a COPD Scanner test to assess the risk of contracting this dangerous disease.
The spirometry tests that have been carried out on television are a key form of examination for the detection of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Employees of the Polish Television could undergo a thorough assessment of their lung condition. During the study, they were able to find out what is the true age of the lungs and whether they are older than their metric age.
During the action, employees could also use the custom application "Catch your bus", which allows you to check your condition. The purpose of the application is to illustrate in a real way the chase of a departing bus on a treadmill synchronized with a TV set. If the bus fails to catch up, the organisers of the event encourage spirometric testing. Another element that can help to detect the disease is the COPD scanner. This is a questionnaire filled in by a patient, which allows you to check if a person is at risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
