COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is a group of lung conditions that make it difficult to breathe because your airways have been narrowed. Life with COPD can be difficult and everyday tasks can become a challenge. It's a progressive condition, which means there is no cure.
That’s why every year in November we mark World COPD Day. This year’s focus, “Breathing is Life – Act Earlier,” aims to highlight the importance of early lung health, early diagnosis and early intervention.
COPD is currently the third global cause of death and reducing smoking, occupational exposure, air pollution, and getting healthier can really improve your lung health.
On 15 November we will be in public locations all over Hampshire and the Isle of Wight from 8:30am-3pm. There will be fun competitions to pit yourself against our staff, resources and information on COPD and COPD management, community and peer support groups, smoking cessation and help to get active. A global 24-hour livestream will also be running with interviews and extra tips.
Come and find us at:
- Chantry Shopping Centre, Andover
- Rownhams Road Chef, M27
- M&S and Sainsburys, Hedge End
- Meridian Shopping Centre, Havant
- Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth
- St Mary’s Hospital, Isle of Wight
Dr Ben Green, ICS Clinical Respiratory Lead and Respiratory Consultant at Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth, said:“Events to raise awareness of smoking-related lung disease are incredibly important. There are thousands of people in Hampshire and Isle of Wight with undiagnosed COPD. These people often have significant symptoms and delays in seeking help can mean that the diagnosis is not made until the disease is at a severe stage.
"Awareness of the risk factors for COPD and how to access testing is essential in making an earlier diagnosis and preventing progression of the disease.”
Are you living with breathlessness?
Do you support a family member or friend with breathlessness? Are you a carer to someone with breathlessness? There are lots of resources and advice to help you at supporting-breathlessness.org.uk. You can also get tips from Asthma and Lung UK on how to manage your breathlessness well.
Are you a healthcare professional who wants to learn more about supporting people living with breathlessness?
A free online course is now available that aims to help health professionals understand how chronic breathlessness can still be improved even when the underlying condition cannot. The training takes approximately 20 minutes to complete and is relevant for any health professional who looks after people with long-term conditions causing chronic breathlessness. This includes nurses, therapists, advanced practitioners, doctors and psychologists working in primary care, community care and secondary care. Find out more here.