COPD
COPD
What is COPD?
COPD stands for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It is a general term that is used to describe a number of conditions including chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
COPD is a long term condition where people have difficulty breathing because of long term damage to the lungs. The damage to the lungs in COPD is permanent and cannot be repaired.
COPD can be classed as mild, moderate or severe depending on clinical symptoms and lung function measurements.
Statistics
COPD is a widespread but largely invisible disease. There are an estimated 3.7 million people in the UK with COPD of which only 900,000 are currently diagnosed and receiving treatment and care. The remaining 2.8 million people are unaware that they have a disease which, if left untreated, could severely restrict their lives.
Chronic Bronchitis is the inflammation of the bronchi (the airways of the lungs). This inflammation increases the amount of mucus and phlegm, making you cough.
Emphysema is damage to the smaller airways and airsacs (alveoli) of the lungs. This reduces the support of the airways, causing them to narrow, so oxygen cannot get around the body as well, making it harder breathe.
What causes COPD?
Smoking is a common cause of COPD. Stopping smoking can make a huge difference to your health. Even if you have fairly advanced COPD, by stopping smoking you are likely to benefit and prevent further progression of the disease. Occupational factors, such as coal dust, and some inherited problems can also cause COPD. Whether pollution is a factor is under investigation.
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Evidence shows you are four times more likely to stop smoking with NHS stop smoking services than you are on your own.
For free stop smoking support and advice contact New Leaf Nottinghamshire on 0800 389 7712 (or text QUIT to 0782 528 1133)
How is COPD diagnosed?
Cough, phlegm and shortness of breath can be symptoms of COPD. The best way to confirm diagnosis is through a simple breathing test (spirometry). This can usually be done at your GPs surgery. You just have to blow into a machine. This will indicate whether your airways have narrowed. In some cases you may need more detailed tests and a referral to hospital.
The sooner people seek treatment the better, You should arrange to see your GP to be tested for COPD if you:
- Are over 35 years of age
- Are a smoker or ex smoker
Have any of these symptoms:
- Breathlessness associated with physical activity
- Chronic cough
- Regular sputum production
- Frequent winter 'bronchitis'
- Wheeze
Improve your health by making small changes
COPD can affect every aspect of day-to-day life. You can improve your health by making changes to your lifestyle such as stopping smoking, eating healthily and taking regular exercise
It will be very important that you look after yourself well and your GP and Practice Nurse will be able to advise you about Healthy Eating and Exercise.
There is no cure for COPD but a lot can be done to relieve its symptoms:
- Stopping smoking
- Diet
- Be active
- Be healthy
Stopping smoking
If you are still smoking, it will help a lot if you stop. If you carry on smoking, your lungs will go on getting much worse, much more quickly than if you stop. Smoking also leaves carbon monoxide in your blood. This will rapidly disappear, so your breathing may get better quickly.
Don't feel guilty about having smoked - think about how giving up will improve the rest of your life.
You should also try and avoid smoky places and ask people around you not to smoke.
Giving up smoking can be very difficult - even if you are ill. If you need help with giving up, ask your GP, community pharmacy or the specialist NHS stop smoking service.
Contact New Leaf Nottinghamshire Stop Smoking Service here
Diet
Eating healthily and maintaining a healthy weight can help relieve the symptoms associated with COPD. The extra effort it takes to breathe means that you need more calories than other people need, so it is important that you eat well, but healthily. You may feel that you would like to lose weight to help you to increase your energy levels.
NHS 5 a Day
Sometimes all the information on what we should and shouldn't eat can be confusing but one message is clear; we should all be eating fruit and vegetables for good health. According to research, the average person in the UK eats less than 3 portions of fruit and vegetables a day, instead of the recommended 5. Log onto the 5 a Day website for information about what does and doesn't count towards your 5 portions, information on portion size, recipes and other resources like a planner to help you make sure you are eating the right amount of fruit and vegetables.
Visit www.5aday.nhs.uk for more information.
Be active
Maintaining a good level of fitness and exercise is extremely important to our health and well-being. Exercise will help you to feel less short of breath and helps to strengthen your lungs so that they work better and use less energy.
Exercise has also been proven to help reduce stress, anxiety and depression. Before becoming more physically active it is important that you seek advice from your GP. Your GP will be able to refer you either to Exercise Programmes run by the Local Authority or if appropriate to a programme run by physiotherapists and nurses called Pulmonary Rehabilitation.
Change4Life
Change4Life is a national movement to help everyone make changes to their lifestyle that will help them to eat well, move more and live longer. The website is packed full of information about how to become healthier. You can even sign up and join Change4Life, you will receive information, tools, tips and a free welcome pack. You can use the website to search for information about what's happening in your local area. Visit www.nhs.uk/change4life or contact the Helpline on 0300 123 4567
Be Healthy
Other small changes you can make in your life are to look at the amount of alcohol you drink.
For more information visit: www.drinking.nhs.uk/health-risk/ or click here to find out where further support is available
Health Trainers
Health Trainers support people to make the right choices about their own health and put those decisions into action. They are normally local people with knowledge and experience of the area they work in. They are trained and accredited by the NHS to equip them with the skills to help local citizens to make the changes they want to their health. Health Trainers provide practical advice and have good connections to other health, social and leisure services locally.
To find out if there are Health Trainers in your area, speak to your own GP.
Further help, support and information
British Lung Foundation
A national charity which offers support services for people living with a lung condition. British Lung Foundation helpline details – 08458 50 50 20 (Mon-Fri 10am-6pm) The helpline offers Free, Confidential and Impartial advice, information and support on a number of subjects including Travel & Transport, Oxygen, Equipment, Welfare Benefits, as well as many issues relating to over 40 lung conditions consisting of respiratory nurses, welfare benefit advisors and parent counsellors.
Telephone: 08458 50 50 20 Website: www.lunguk.org E-mail: enquiries@blf-uk.org
NHS Choices
An internet based service on Healthcare
Visit: www.nhs.uk/conditions/chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease
Information Prescriptions
The purpose is to 'prescribe information' - rather like drug treatment is prescribed - which is personalised and tailored to specific needs. http://nottsinfoscript.co.uk/
PALS
The Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is about making sure that as a patient, relative or carer you have someone to turn to for on the spot help, advice and information. Your first point of contact will usually be front line staff such as a nurse, receptionist or therapist who will have a vital role in helping you find your way around the NHS.
Telephone: 0800 028 3693 (ask for PALS officer) or e-mail PALS at: pals@nottspct.nhs.uk
Local information and support Breathe Easy Midlands
There are 34 Breathe Easy groups across the region, which aim to provide help, information and support to those living with lung disease, their friends, family and carers. Groups get involved with a large number of events, as well as hearing from speakers on a huge range of topics.
Telephone: 0116 249 5780 or email midlands@blf-uk.org.
