Chronic Obstruction Pulmonary Disease
One in seven Australians 40 years or older has COPD.
Half of those who have progressed to a stage where they are experiencing symptoms will not know that they have it.
November 19 is World COPD Day and Lung Foundation Australia is raising awareness of the prevalence and impact of COPD.
COPD is a leading cause of death in Australia.
COPD is a lung disease that includes chronic bronchitis, emphysema and chronic asthma that isn’t fully reversible.
It is important to recognise the risk factors and symptoms of COPD so that you can get an early diagnosis.
The main risk factors in Australia are:
current or past history of smoking
occupational exposure to dust, gas or fumes
There are also some genetic causes of COPD. Typical symptoms include breathlessness, a cough that won’t go away and phlegm production.
Finding COPD early gives the best chance to slow down lung deterioration and start managing your symptoms.
Lung Foundation Australia encourages people 35 years or older who have a history of smoking or had occupational exposure to dust, gas and/or fumes to have a lung health check.
COPD is largely preventable and treatable. While there is currently no cure for COPD, there is strong medical evidence to show that early diagnosis, combined with self-management strategies including Pulmonary Rehabilitation at the early stages of the disease can reduce the burden of COPD
Pulmonary rehabilitation is a special program of exercise and education that helps you:
- Breathe easier
- Improve your quality of life
- Resume activities that you had given up
- Stay out of hospital
- Reduces fatigue, anxiety and depression
- Improves exercise capacity
For COPD day, Wednesday 19th November 2014, our primary health Pharmacists will be offering FREE COPD screening tests.
Pop into the Pharmacy to make an appointment.
