Bronchial asthma and COPD
Author
Udo Held
Impacts on daily life, mental health and quality of life
The Robert Koch Clinic Leipzig, part of the St. Georg Municipal Hospital Group Leipzig, is located in the western part of Leipzig, in the Grünau district. Dr. Thomas Köhnlein has been the chief physician and head of St. Georg Leipzig – West, as the clinic is officially called, for three years. Originally, the hospital was solely a pulmonary clinic. Since then, other areas of specialization have been added:
- Pulmonology
- Gastroenterology
- cardiology
- Acute geriatrics
- hematology
- oncology
- Intensive care
- Geriatric Day Clinic
On May 11, 2017, an information session on bronchial asthma and COPD began at 4:30 p.m. and lasted until 6:00 p.m. Dr. Köhnlein, who has been practicing in Leipzig for three years, spoke about the differences and similarities between the two diseases and the possibilities offered by modern medicine and diagnostics. The emergency room at St. Georg Leipzig West is staffed 24/7, 365 days a year, with specialists on staff. Of the approximately 40 doctors who work there, 20 to 23 are pulmonologists. Despite overcrowded practices and waiting times of up to three months for new patients, politicians and private practice specialists are determined to improve the availability of pulmonologists. NOT This allows hospitals to provide more and faster outpatient treatment. Therefore, patients need a referral from a pulmonologist (a specialist in lung medicine) for outpatient treatment at a hospital. If inpatient hospitalization becomes necessary, a standard referral from a general practitioner is sufficient. Alternatively, patients can go directly to the emergency room.
An information sheet from the German Respiratory Society on proper inhalation techniques was distributed to the approximately 30 interested participants present. The process of breathing was visually illustrated using images and graphics. Comparison images of healthy and diseased bronchi were explained in a way that was easy to understand – even for non-medical professionals. Interesting fact: Did you know that the lungs of a healthy person can fill the area of two tennis courts?
Furthermore, the difference between COPD and asthma was explained. COPD means being constantly restricted in one's movements. Asthma involves temporary shortness of breath. However, the symptoms and medication are similar or even the same. In the case of allergic asthma, desensitization can be performed if there are no more than three allergens. If a patient is allergic to more than three substances, this treatment method is no longer effective.
How does a bronchoscopy work, and what can be detected or treated during this examination?
Patients often don't notice anything during a bronchoscopy because they are under anesthesia. However, some examinations require the patient's cooperation – for example, they may need to cough at a specific time. In Germany, approximately 6.5 million people suffer from COPD. COPD is also the third leading cause of death in Germany.
Dr. Köhnlein also explained the causes of COPD, including reference to alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. The audience's interest was piqued – not least because we were present. Dr. Köhnlein answered the question of how alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency can be diagnosed. He also suggested that those interested could contact Alpha1 Deutschland e.V. and our self-help group in Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt directly. Several attendees took flyers on the topics of "Alpha-1 in Adults," "Alpha-1 in Children," and "Alpha-1 and the Liver.".
From this perspective, it was a very successful event for the St. Georg Hospital Leipzig West and Dr. Köhnlein, but also for us, Alpha1 Germany e.V., and the self-help groups of Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt. That concludes our report on the information event in Leipzig. The next event, "Self-Help in Motion," will take place on Saturday, May 13, 2017. It begins at 9:30 a.m. at the Leipzig University of Physical Education (DHFK). Alpha1 Germany will be present with an information booth.
Kind regards from sunny Leipzig – Grünau.
Udo Held
deputy group leader
Self-help group Saxony & Saxony-Anhalt
Alpha1 Germany eV.
