Quit smoking to avoid COPD

CHENNAI: More than 100 students of P S Higher Secondary School formed a human chain and took out a rally from their school campus to the Mylapore MRTS station, in a bid to create awareness on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). November 16 being World COPD day, the NCC and Junior Red Cross boys of the school took part in the rally to emphasise the danger of active and passive smoking.COPD is caused by inhaling cigarette smoke and vehicular emissions, and triggers  inflammation in the chest.  Diagnosis requires a simple spirometry test, which many people are unaware of. The participants of the rally wore skeleton masks and carried placards with pictures depicting the dangers of smoking. Dr R Sridharan, a consultant allergist and asthma specialist who organised the rally, said, “Teaching these boys the dangers of smoking will take the message out to many others. People should also know the dangers of COPD and get tested if they feel they are constantly short of breath.” More such rallies are planned in the future, in association with other schools, said Dr Sridhar.