An estimated 100,000 people in West Flanders also suffer from this chronic lung disease, often without even realizing it. Kris Carron, doctor at AZ Delta: “Not everyone knows. So people who are short of breath, often cough, wheeze, regularly have bronchitis, they should think twice. They may have COPD.”
Help through minor interventions
Cure is not possible, but in some hospitals such as AZ Delta in Rumbeke, certain patients can fortunately be helped thanks to minor interventions. “In advanced patients with COPD, we can offer something special in selected cases where we place valves in the lungs, or refer the patient to the surgeon, who removes a piece of bad lung tissue, which actually improves patients.”