World Spirometry and Pulmonary Health Day

A properly functioning respiratory system is the key to health and physical well-being To diagnose hidden pathologies of the lungs and bronchi, doctors use a special device Studies of the volume and rate of air absorption by humans are carried out using a spirometer, invented in 1842 by the English surgeon J Hutchinson The scientist is also responsible for the development of a method for identifying pathologies in the lungs in asymptomatic form and at the initial stage Hutchinson's developments made it possible to defeat diseases of the respiratory system through primary monitoring, combating them in a timely manner The scientist's colleagues, M Elton Wintrich, E Smith and TG Brody, at different times, worked on improving the spirometer, developing more practical and compact versions of the device At the initiative of international medical organizations, World Spirometry Day was established in honor of the high-precision diagnostic method World Spirometry and Lung Health Day has been celebrated annually since 2003 The events held on October 14 are aimed at identifying respiratory diseases at an early stage A spirometer is used to measure the intensity of air flow in the lungs It consists of a tube with a disposable mouthpiece and a decoding device Using the device, changes in the volume of absorbed and exhaled air are registered and recorded Using spirometry, doctors record changes in the structure of the lung tissue, obstructive processes or restriction that cannot be heard with a phonendoscope In the middle of the 19th century, when the device was invented, the most common disease was tuberculosis In London, consumption, which appeared out of nowhere and affected strong and healthy people with good heredity, caused the death of every fourth city resident The invention of the spirometer helped prevent the development of pathology by diagnosing tuberculosis at an early stage Today, the spirometer, or spirograph, is used primarily to detect asthma, bronchospasms, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease The most common causes of COPD are smoking, working in hazardous industrial environments, and living in environmentally unfavorable conditions Provoking factors also include frequent infectious diseases of the respiratory tract and hereditary predisposition COPD, which includes chronic emphysema and bronchitis, is one of the three pathologies leading to death The disease is most often diagnosed in people 40-45 years old Every year, about 3 million people die from COPD Symptoms of the pathology include shortness of breath, cough with sputum production and fatigue The disease can develop unnoticed over many years, causing oxygen deficiency in the body, leading to disability and death if left untreated World Spirometry and Lung Health Day encourages people of all ages to pay attention to the condition of the respiratory system and its organs This type of instrumental diagnostics is widespread and is a non-traumatic technique with virtually no contraindications Regular examinations in the form of measuring the volume of absorbed and exhaled air can prevent the development of COPD, asthma and other pathologies