Debosmita Ghosh • 09 Aug 2024
What Is COPD That Former West Bengal CM Buddhadeb Bhattacharya Suffered From?
Former West Bengal CM Buddhadeb Bhattacharya (Picture credit: X/ CPI (M) West Bengal)
Former West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya passed away on Thursday morning. The 80-year-old veteran Left leader died at his Kolkata residence. He is survived by his wife Meera Bhattacharya and son Suchetan Bhattacharya. Last year, the former CM of West Bengal contracted pneumonia and had to be put on life support, however, he recovered.
The CPI(M) leader served as the West Bengal CM from 2002 to 2011, succeeding Jyoti Basu. Bhattacharya had been suffering from respiratory issues for several years. He had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD is a condition wherein there’s chronic inflammation in the lungs. This obstructs the airflow in the lungs and is caused due to long-term exposure to irritating gases or particulate matter, most often from cigarette smoke. Long-term exposure to secondhand smoke can also lead to COPD. Passive smokers have an increased risk of poor lung function and chronic respiratory symptoms. People with COPD have an increased risk of developing heart disease, lung cancer and several other health conditions.
Two of the most common conditions that cause COPD are emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Chronic bronchitis is inflammation of the lining of the bronchial tubes, which carry air to and from the air sacs (alveoli) of the lungs. On the other hand, emphysema is a condition in which the alveoli at the end of the smallest air passages (bronchioles) of the lungs are destroyed as a result of damaging exposure to cigarette smoke and other irritating gases and particulate matter.
Mayo Clinic says that COPD is a progressive disease that gets worse over time, however, it is treatable. Managing the condition properly can help you achieve control over the symptoms which is required to reduce the risks of severity.
Symptoms of COPD
The symptoms of the condition don’t start to appear until there’s significant damage to the longs. Here, take a look at some of the common symptoms of COPD.
- Shortness of breath, especially during physical activities
- Wheezing
- Chest tightness
- Chronic cough with mucus (sputum)
- Frequent respiratory infections
- Lack of energy
- Unintended weight loss (in later stages)
- Swelling in ankles, feet or legs.
Risk Factors of COPD
Here, take a look at some of the common risk factors of COPD.
- Tobacco Smoke: One of the most important risk factors for COPD is long-term cigarette smoking. The more years you smoke, the higher your risk. Pipe smokers, cigar smokers and marijuana smokers also may be at risk, as well as people exposed to large amounts of secondhand smoke.
- Asthma: This is a chronic inflammatory airway disease and can be a risk factor for developing COPD. The combination of asthma and smoking increases the risk of COPD.
- Occupational Exposure: Long-term exposure to chemical fumes, vapours and dust in the workplace can cause irritation and inflame your lungs.
- Exposure to Fumes: People who are exposed to fumes from burning fuel for cooking and heating in poorly ventilated homes have a higher risk of developing COPD.
- Genetics: Some people have an uncommon genetic disorder alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency which can cause COPD.
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