Dear readers,

next to the attention given on cardiovascular diseases, today we will focus on chronic respiratory diseases, which belong to NCDs. Let’s see together.

What are chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs)?
They are a class of disorders affecting the airways and other parts of the lung. 
The most common conditions are chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, occupational lung diseases and pulmonary hypertension. 
Respiratory diseases account about 3.9 million global deaths annually. 

What are the common symptoms?
Symptoms depend on the condition affecting the individual. Some of the common symptoms are: recurrent attacks of breathlessness and wheezing, excessive sputum production and a chronic cough.

Risk factors
We have already mentioned the risk factors in the article regarding the NCDs. The two main risk factors for CRDs are smoking and indoor/outdoor air pollution. The other several risk factors are allergens, occupational exposure and vulnerability.

PA or not PA?                                                                                                            
Breathing difficulties can make people affected by CRDs feel they can’t exercise, but it’s quite the contrary. PA can help improving shortness of breath and other symptoms related to the specific condition of the person that needs to find the best exercise protocol. 
Good options of PA are exercises which are helpful in strengthening the heart, lungs and respiratory muscles such as walking, jogging, bicycling, stretching, low-impact aerobics, resistance training. 
Hence, you have no excuses to avoid the practice of PA: just find your best option suited to you.

References
Armstrong M, Vogiatzis I (2109) Personalized exercise training in chronic lung diseases. Respirology;24(9):854-862.

World Health Organization (WHO) 2020. Chronic respiratory diseases.

Edited by 
Dott.ssa Francesca Greco