Respiratory specialist Dr. Samanmalee Dalpadathu revealed that 10% of Sri Lankans over 40 suffer from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), primarily caused by smoking, prolonged air pollution exposure, or untreated asthma.
Speaking at a media briefing by the Health Promotion Bureau, Dr. Dalpadathu emphasized the widespread lack of awareness about COPD, despite its significant health impact.
“COPD is the 7th leading cause of death globally. Many people develop it unknowingly due to untreated asthma or smoking, with symptoms often remaining hidden until later stages,” she explained.
Referring to a 2017 survey, Dr. Dalpadathu noted that one in ten Sri Lankans over 40 have COPD, largely due to poor understanding and late detection of the disease.Dr.
Dalpadathu stressed the importance of preventing COPD by avoiding exposure to air pollution and wearing masks in high-risk environments.
She clarified that while COPD is different from asthma, it can only be effectively managed through long-term inhaler use, as there is no cure for the chronic condition.
Urging greater public awareness, Dr. Dalpadathu called for early intervention to prevent the disease from progressing to more severe stages, where its impact is often unrecognized.
