COPD
and
Looking after your Lungs
It is estimated that about three million people in the UK have COPD – Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. It is
the sixth most common cause of death in England and Wales causing 30,000 deaths a year. There is no cure for
COPD but self –help such as giving up smoking combined with prescribed medical treatment can help slow the
progression of the condition and improve patients’ general well-being and daily life.
What is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)?
COPD is a general term used to describe conditions where people have difficulty breathing because of long-term
damage to the lungs. Anyone suffering with chronic bronchitis and emphysema has COPD.
In many cases, this illness will not have been formally diagnosed, as in the early stages many people live with a
cough or mild breathlessness without seeing a doctor. It mainly affects people over the age of 35 and becomes more
common with increasing age.
Symptoms
If you are:

Feeling breathless when moving around and/or exercising

Have had a cough for a long time – with or without phlegm

Wheezing

Suffering from bronchitis

A smoker
then it could be that you have COPD so you should visit your doctor and have your symptoms checked out.
How COPD affects your Lungs
Blockage of the airways (the tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs) is the final result of COPD. This is caused
through inflammation and too much mucus or phlegm.
Damage can also occur in the smallest airways and air sacs in the lungs which lose their stretchiness and support for
the airways. These then collapse trapping air in the lungs when exhaling.
Diagnosis
Your GP will arrange to test your breathing by using a machine called a Spirometer.
You may also be given another breathing test called a Peak Flow test which gauges how quickly you can breathe
out.
The results of these tests will then provide a clearer picture of your condition and how best to treat it either through
medication, oxygen therapy or pulmonary rehabilitation plus adjustments to your everyday living.
Managing COPD
Stop Smoking
Giving up smoking is undoubtedly, the first difficult step. Ask your GP and /or Practice Nurse for advice on how to
approach this challenge. The Quit Smoking leaflets on display next to the Wilson Practice Reception Desk during
November 2012 will also provide information and encouragement.
Exercise and Relaxation
Walking – it may seem strange that exercise is encouraged for people with COPD, but not exercising makes things
worse. Gradually building up the distance increases lung fitness and confidence in living with COPD and, of course,
your general state of health.
Stress and anxiety make symptoms worse, so it is important to pace yourself and share your concerns with family,
friends and your GP or practice nurse.
Learning new breathing techniques may also help calm you and help you manage periods of breathlessness. See
the Living with COPD leaflet on display at the reception area for further information.
Healthy Diet
Having COPD means that you use up a lot of energy in breathing, which is why many people with the condition lose
weight.
Eating little and often will stop you getting breathless during long meals. Protein rich foods – meat, fish,
poultry and pulses such as beans and lentils will ensure that you are taking in enough calories.
It is also important that you drink a lot of water as it keeps the lining of the airways moist and your sputum will be
thinner.
COPD – a long-term illness
Even though COPD is a long-term illness, there may be occasions when the symptoms suddenly become worse.
These are called ‘exacerbations’ such as

coughing up more phlegm

there is a change in the colour or thickness of your phlegm

you have a temperature

you are more breathless than normal
Your doctor or nurse will advise on how you can manage these effectively at home, but if you feel very breathless,
you should go directly to hospital.
Information and Support
Information leaflets on COPD and Quitting Smoking are freely available at the Patient Participation Group Help
Yourself to Health display next to the reception desk.
For further advice contact:
British Lung Foundation
Telephone Helpline: 03000 030 555
www.blf.org.uk
Breathe Easy Support Groups in Hampshire
Romsey
Joanne Rowlands
Tel: 020 7688 5575
Hedge End
Joanne Rowlands
Tel: 020 7688 5575
Winchester
Joanne Rowlands
Tel: 020 7688 5575
Portsmouth
Arthur Harmer
Tel: 02392 327 840
Quit 4 Life – Hampshire stop smoking service
Tel: 0845 602 4663
www.quit4life.nhs.uk
Please telephone the above number to book your appointment at Alton Health Centre, Anstey Road, Alton on
Thursdays 13.30-14-30pm