We were fortunate to have the opportunity to meet and interview Professor Tobias Welte about these conditions while he was on a long business trip with his colleagues at St. Luke's Medical Center.
Professor Tobias Welte (Germany) - President of the European Respiratory Society (ERS), one of the most prestigious organizations in the respiratory field.
Professor at the Medical University of Hannover and a leading expert in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), respiratory infections and respiratory intensive care.
Professor Tobias Welte has more than 35 years of respiratory experience. He began his medical career at Kreiskrankenhaus Lehrte Hospital and then transferred to Hannover Medical School. He held the position of Professor of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at the University of Magdeburg before returning to MHH in 2004, where he built up a respiratory department with both clinical and research excellence, particularly in the field of lung transplantation.
π Outstanding achievements:
Prize:
Balzan Prize 2019 together with colleagues at the German Lung Research Center (DZL) for outstanding contributions to respiratory disease research.
Sadoul Lecture Award 2023 from the European Respiratory Society (ERS) honors his career and contributions in the field of respiratory medicine.
Professor Tobias Welte shares valuable insights into the causes and dangers of respiratory-related diseases, along with methods for helping individuals over 40 who suffer from conditions such as tuberculosis, COPD, asthma, pneumonia, and lung cancer to manage and recover at home.
Professor Tobias Welte and associates at St. Luke's Medical Center.
- Reporter:
Hello Professor, I understand that during your business trip to the Philippines, in addition to exchanging experiences with domestic doctors, you also actively participated in training courses and guided young doctors on the prevention and treatment of respiratory diseases. Could you share more specifically so that we, readers and patients, can understand the importance and danger of lung diseases?
- Professor Tobias Welte:
Oh! Of course. As you know from the COVID-19 pandemic, weakening the immune system of many people increases the risk of respiratory-related diseases beyond normal levels, with high numbers of smokers and severe air pollution contributing to the worsening of the situation.
On January 1, 2025, after New Year's festivities, the AQI (Air Quality Index) in Manila reached 218, classified as "very unhealthy", with PM2.5 (Particulate Matter) concentrations more than 15 times the WHO safe limit.
High concentrations of PM2.5 can penetrate deep into the lungs and blood, causing respiratory and cardiovascular problems, and exacerbating chronic diseases such as asthma, COPD, and increasing the risk of lung cancer.β
- Reporter:
As far as I know, there are many diseases related to the lungs and respiratory system. Can the professor explain each disease, along with its symptoms and signs, so that people can be informed and check themselves?
- Professor Tobias Welte:
There are many diseases related to the lungs. I will tell you some of the most common diseases that people often suffer. You should read carefully and check the symptoms to see if you are included here or not.
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD):
- Symptoms: Shortness of breath, Chronic cough, possible phlegm, Wheezing or chest tightness, Chest pain and prolonged shortness of breath.
- Causes: Primarily caused by smoking and prolonged exposure to air pollution or harmful gases. - Tuberculosis (TB):
- Symptoms: Cough lasting more than 2 weeks, Sputum possibly containing blood, Mild fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, Excessive night sweating and rapid weight loss.
- Causes: Caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria, usually spread through the air. - Lung Cancer:
- Symptoms: Persistent cough that may be accompanied by chest pain, Pain with deep breathing or coughing, Shortness of breath or wheezing, Rapid weight loss and persistent fatigue.
- Causes: Primarily caused by smoking, but also linked to other factors such as exposure to harmful smoke or pollutants. - Pneumonia:
- Symptoms: Fever, chills and excessive sweating, Cough with phlegm or possibly blood, Chest pain during breathing or coughing, Shortness of breath, rapid and shallow breathing.
- Causes: Caused by bacterial, viral, fungal, or parasitic infections invading the lungs. - Asthma:
- Symptoms: Wheezing, especially at night or early morning, Chest tightness or discomfort, Difficulty breathing, especially during exertion or exposure to allergens like pollen, dust, or pet dander.
- Causes: Allergic reactions or airway irritants such as pollution or harmful gases. - Silicosis:
- Symptoms: Prolonged difficulty breathing, especially in occupations exposed to harmful dust, Persistent dry cough, Chest pain, Progressive lung function decline over time.
- Causes: Caused by prolonged exposure to harmful dust such as silica, asbestos, coal, or other hazardous occupational exposures. - Pulmonary Fibrosis:
- Symptoms: Chronic shortness of breath, especially with exertion, Chest pain, shallow breathing, Significant decline in lung function over time.
- Causes: Resulting from prolonged lung damage leading to scarring and hardening of the lungs, often due to exposure to harmful chemicals or chronic infections. - Chronic Bronchitis:
- Symptoms: Persistent cough with ongoing phlegm production, Shortness of breath, wheezing, and chest tightness, Fatigue and frequent respiratory infections.
- Causes: Common in smokers or those living in long-term exposure to polluted environments.