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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

'I thought, I can either be miserable or I can live life to the full'

Lynn Ashton, 46, was having a happy Christmas dinner until a candle set her plastic tablecloth alight.  

“We were taking a break after the main course when one of my children said she could smell something funny,” says Lynn.

“I rushed into the dining room to find the plastic tablecloth and the dining room in flames. I threw the tablecloth on to the patio, but by then I had inhaled a lot of toxic fumes.”

She sat outside trying to get her breath. Initially, she didn’t go to the doctor. But over the next few weeks, her breathing got worse. She was already an asthmatic and smoked around 15-20 cigarettes a day.

“I spent the next four months in and out of hospital with chest infections,” says Lynn. “At times, my breathing was so bad I could barely bend down to tie my shoelaces.”

Lynn was diagnosed with COPD and bronchiectasis, an abnormal widening of the air sacs in the lungs. It was a shattering blow and she stopped smoking immediately. Lynn was determined to stay strong. Her daughter was pregnant with her first grandchild.

“My prognosis wasn’t good at first,” she says. “I thought, I can either sit around and be miserable or I can live life to the full. I wanted to see my grandchild grow up. I wanted to help other people with COPD. I believe things happen for a reason.” 

Lynn is on a treatment regimen which includes six different drugs and a nebuliser. Two years ago, she had a small catheter fitted which passes from the lower neck into the windpipe and delivers oxygen directly into her lungs. It’s held on by a discreet chain around her neck. “I clean it several times a day and it’s wonderful,” she says.

Lynn now helps other people who have COPD. She joined a local support group in Huntingdon called Hunts Breathe for Life, which she now chairs, and started to raise money for the cause.

“I started off doing some short walks. Then it occurred to me that I’d love to do the London Marathon. I called the British Lung Foundation and they were very enthusiastic and offered me a place. But when I told them I had COPD and was on oxygen, they were rather worried.”

Lynn started her training by walking for just one minute on a treadmill at her local gym. Gradually, under the supervision of her nurse, she increased the time until she was ready to realise her dream.

“It took me five days to finish the marathon,” she says. “I had a trolley to help me walk and had my oxygen with me at all times. Every afternoon I’d go back to the hotel and rest. It was a wonderful experience. I raised over £14,000.”

Lynn believes in living life to the full. “There was a time when I was very angry and that’s normal. I still have bad days. But when I look around, I see that there’s always someone worse off than me.”

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Published Date
2013-01-08 23:44:05Z
Last Review Date
2012-09-10 00:00:00Z
Next Review Date
2014-09-10 00:00:00Z
Classification
British Lung Foundation,Christmas,COPD


NHS Choices Syndication

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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

'When I woke up, I could hardly breathe'

With a little help, Eddie Brownlow realised he could manage his COPD and get on with life.

Having served in the navy and the army as a paratrooper, Eddie Brownlow was fit when he left the forces aged 47. However, he had smoked about 15 cigarettes a day for most of his life.

“It was the done thing back then. It relaxed me after a parachute jump,” says Eddie.

After retiring from a second career as a sales manager, Eddie was getting breathless whenever he had to lift something heavy or exert himself. He ignored the fact that he was feeling a “bit puffy” all the time and carried on.

However, by 1998, he couldn’t ignore it any more. “We were in Mexico on holiday and I had booked a marlin fishing trip,” says Eddie. “But when I woke up, I could hardly breathe. Luckily I recovered, but when I got back home I picked up a chest infection.”

He went to his GP, who referred him to hospital. He was diagnosed with COPD. He followed a rehabilitation programme, which he describes as excellent. He learned about his medication, how to exercise and how to improve his diet.

Eddie says, “I realised there was no need to panic. You just need to learn to manage your condition. There’s advice available.”

One important thing Eddie knew he had to do was give up smoking. It took him quite a while, but with patches, advice and support from his wife, he finally kicked the habit.

He also got involved with his local British Lung Foundation group, Breathe Easy, a voluntary organisation that supports people with breathing conditions such as COPD. Within a few months of joining, he took over his group and built up the membership.

Eddie now makes it his job to raise awareness of breathing conditions and, through his efforts, the town’s mayor selected his branch of Breathe Easy as his chosen charity recently.

 

Published Date
2012-12-18 11:51:30Z
Last Review Date
2012-09-10 00:00:00Z
Next Review Date
2014-09-10 00:00:00Z
Classification
British Lung Foundation,COPD


NHS Choices Syndication

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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Causes of COPD

There are several things that may increase your risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), many of which can be avoided.

Things you can change

You can change some of the things that make COPD more likely.

Smoking

Smoking is the main cause of COPD. At least four out of five people who develop the disease are, or have been, smokers. The lining of the airways becomes inflamed and permanently damaged by smoking. This damage cannot be reversed. Around 10-25% of smokers develop COPD.

Passive smoking

Exposure to other people’s smoke increases the risk of COPD. 

Fumes and dust

Exposure to certain types of dust and chemicals at work, including grains, isocyanates, cadmium and coal, has been linked to the development of COPD, even in people who do not smoke. 

The risk of COPD is even higher if you breathe in dust or fumes in the workplace and you smoke.

Air pollution

According to some research, air pollution may be an additional risk factor for COPD. However, at the moment it is not conclusive and research is continuing.

Want to know more?

Things you cannot change

There are a few factors for COPD that you cannot change.

Having a brother or sister with severe COPD

A research study has shown that smokers who have brothers and sisters with severe COPD are at greater risk of developing the condition than smokers who do not.

Having a genetic tendency to COPD

There is a rare genetic tendency to develop COPD called alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency. This causes COPD in a small number of people (about 1%). Alpha-1-antitrypsin is a protein that protects your lungs. Without it, the lungs can be damaged by other enzymes that occur naturally in the body.

People who have an alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency usually develop COPD at a younger age, often under 35.

Want to know more?

Published Date
2013-01-08 23:44:09Z
Last Review Date
2012-09-10 00:00:00Z
Next Review Date
2014-09-10 00:00:00Z
Classification
COPD,Stopping smoking


NHS Choices Syndication

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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Diagnosing COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is usually diagnosed after a consultation with your GP, as well as breathing tests.

If you are concerned about the health of your lungs and have symptoms that could be COPD, see your GP as soon as you can. 

Being diagnosed early means you will receive appropriate treatment, advice and help to stop or slow the progression of COPD.

At a consultation, your doctor will ask about your symptoms and how long you have had them, and whether you smoke, or used to smoke. They will examine you and listen to your chest using a stethoscope. You may also be weighed and measured in order to calculate your body mass index (BMI).

Read more about BMI or use a BMI calculator.

Your doctor will also check how well your lungs are working with a lung function test called spirometery.

Spirometry

To assess how well your lungs work, a breathing test called spirometry is carried out. You will be asked to breathe into a machine called a spirometer.

The spirometer takes two measurements: the volume of air you can breathe out in one second (called the forced expiratory volume in one second or FEV1) and the total amount of air you breathe out (called the forced vital capacity or FVC).

You may be asked to breathe out a few times to get a consistent reading.

The readings are compared with normal measurements for your age, which can show if your airways are obstructed.

Other tests

You may have other tests as well as spirometry. Often, these other tests will help the doctor rule out other conditions that cause similar symptoms.

Chest X-ray

A chest X-ray will show whether you have another lung condition which may be causing symptoms, such as lung cancer.

Blood test

blood test will show whether your symptoms could be due to anaemia, as this can also cause breathlessness.

Further tests

Some people may need more tests. The tests may confirm the diagnosis or indicate the severity of your COPD. This will help you and your doctor plan your treatment.

Electrocardiogram (ECG) and echocardiogram

An electrocardiogram (ECG) or echocardiogram may be used to check the condition of your heart.

An ECG involves attaching electrodes (sticky metal patches) to your arms, legs and chest to pick up the electrical signals from your heart.

An echocardiogram uses sound waves to build a detailed picture of your heart. This is similar to an ultrasound scan.

Peak flow test

To confirm you have COPD and not asthma, your doctor might ask you to take regular measurements of your breathing using a peak flow meter, at different times over several days. The peak flow meter measures how fast you can breathe out.

Blood oxygen level

The level of oxygen in your blood is measured using a pulse oximeter, which looks like a peg and is attached to the finger. If you have low levels of oxygen, you may need an assessment to see whether extra oxygen would help you.

Blood test for alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency

If the condition runs in your family or you developed the symptoms of COPD under the age of 35 and have never smoked, you will probably have a blood test to see if you are alpha-1-antitrypsin deficient.

Computerised Tomography (CT) scan

Some people may need a CT scan. This provides more information than an X-ray and can be useful in diagnosing other lung diseases or assessing changes to your lungs due to COPD.

Other breathing tests

If your symptoms seem worse than would be expected from your spirometry results, your doctor may decide you need more detailed lung function tests. You may be referred to a hospital specialist for these tests.

Phlegm sample

The doctor may take a sample of phlegm to check whether it has been infected.

Published Date
2012-12-21 12:17:10Z
Last Review Date
2012-09-10 00:00:00Z
Next Review Date
2014-09-10 00:00:00Z
Classification
Blood,Blood tests,Chest,COPD,CT scan,Heart tests,Lung function tests


NHS Choices Syndication

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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Introduction

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the name for a collection of lung diseases including chronic bronchitis, emphysema and chronic obstructive airways disease.

People with COPD have difficulties breathing, primarily due to the narrowing of their airways, this is called airflow obstruction.

Typical symptoms of COPD include:

  • increasing breathlessness when active
  • a persistent cough with phlegm
  • frequent chest infections

Read more about the symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Why does COPD happen?

The main cause of COPD is smoking. The likelihood of developing COPD increases the more you smoke and the longer you’ve been smoking. This is because smoking irritates and inflames the lungs, which results in scarring.

Over many years, the inflammation leads to permanent changes in the lung. The walls of the airways thicken and more mucus is produced. Damage to the delicate walls of the air sacs in the lungs causes emphysema and the lungs lose their normal elasticity. The smaller airways also become scarred and narrowed. These changes cause the symptoms of breathlessness, cough and phlegm associated with COPD.

Some cases of COPD are caused by fumes, dust, air pollution and genetic disorders, but these are rarer.

Read more about the causes of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Who is affected?

COPD is one of the most common respiratory diseases in the UK. It usually affects people over the age of 35, although most people are not diagnosed until they are in their fifties.

It is thought there are over 3 million people living with the disease in the UK, of which only about 900,000 have been diagnosed. This is because many people who develop symptoms of COPD do not get medical help because they often dismiss their symptoms as a ‘smoker’s cough’.

COPD affects more men than women, although rates in women are increasing.

Diagnosis

It is important that COPD is diagnosed as early as possible so treatment can be used to try to slow down the deterioration of your lungs. You should see your GP if you have any of the symptoms mentioned above.

COPD is usually diagnosed after a consultation with your doctor, which may be followed by breathing tests.

Read more about diagnosing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Treating COPD

Although the damage that has already occurred to your lungs cannot be reversed, you can slow down the progression of the disease. Stopping smoking is particularly effective at doing this.

Treatments for COPD usually involve relieving the symptoms with medication, for example by using an inhaler to make breathing easier.

Surgery is only an option for a small number of people with COPD.

Read more about treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Living with COPD

COPD can affect your life in many ways, but help is available to reduce its impact.

Simple steps such as keeping healthy, being as active as possible, learning breathing techniques, and taking your medication can help you to reduce the symptoms of COPD.

Financial support and advice about relationships and end of life care is also available for people with COPD.

Read more about living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Want to know more?

  • British Lung Foundation: COPD

Can COPD be prevented?

Although COPD causes about 25,000 deaths a year in the UK, severe COPD can usually be prevented by making changes to your lifestyle.

If you smoke, stopping is the single most effective way to reduce your risk of getting the condition.

Research has shown you are up to four times more likely to succeed in giving up smoking if you use NHS support along with stop-smoking medicines such as patches or gum. Ask your doctor about this, call the NHS Smoking Helpline on 0300 123 1044 or go to the NHS Smokefree website.

Also avoid exposure to tobacco smoke as much as possible.

Want to know more?

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Published Date
2014-10-07 16:07:07Z
Last Review Date
2012-09-10 00:00:00Z
Next Review Date
2014-09-10 00:00:00Z
Classification
British Lung Foundation,British Thoracic Society,Chronic illnesses,COPD,Stopping smoking


NHS Choices Syndication

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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Living with COPD

Healthy living

Exercise

People with COPD who exercise or keep active regularly have improved breathing, less severe symptoms and a better quality of life.

For most people with COPD who are disabled by their breathlessness, a structured programme of pulmonary rehabilitation provided by experienced healthcare professionals does the most good. Getting breathless is unpleasant but it isn’t harmful. Every patient should exercise as much as they can, however limited that may be, twice a day. Even chair-bound people can do some arm and upper-body movements.

Research shows that pulmonary rehabilitation improves exercise tolerance, breathlessness and health-related quality of life. It results in people seeing doctors less often and spending less time in hospital.

Maintain a healthy weight

Carrying extra weight can make breathlessness worse. Therefore, it is a good idea to lose weight if you are overweight. This can be difficult because the breathlessness caused by COPD can make it hard to exercise.

However, some people with COPD find that they lose weight. Eating food high in protein and taking in enough calories is important to maintain a healthy weight.

Research has shown that people with COPD who are underweight will have fewer COPD symptoms if they increase their weight.

Want to know more?

Breathing techniques

There are various breathing techniques that some people find helpful for breathlessness. These include breathing control, which involves breathing gently, using the least effort, with the shoulders supported. This can help when people with COPD feel short of breath.

Breathing techniques for people who are more active include:

  • relaxed, slow deep breathing 
  • breathing through pursed lips, as if whistling 
  • breathing out hard when doing an activity that needs a big effort
  • paced breathing, using a rhythm in time with the activity, such as climbing stairs

Want to know more?

Talk to others

If you have questions, your GP or nurse may be able to reassure you. You may find it helpful to talk to a trained counsellor or psychologist, or someone at a specialist helpline. Your GP surgery will have information on these.

Some people find it helpful to talk to other people who have COPD, either at a local support group or in an internet chat room.

Want to know more?

Relationships and sex

Relationships with friends and family

Having a chronic illness such as COPD can put a strain on any relationship. Difficulty breathing and coughing can make people with COPD feel very tired and depressed. It is also inevitable that their spouse, partner or carer will feel anxious or frustrated about their breathing problems. It is important to talk about your worries together.

Being open about how you feel and what your family and friends can do to help may put them at ease. But do not feel shy about telling them that you need some time to yourself, if that is what you want.

Your sex life

As COPD progresses, the increasing breathlessness can make it difficult to take part in activities. The breathlessness may occur during sexual activity, which may mean your sex life can suffer.

Communicate with your partner and stay open-minded. Explore what you both like sexually. Simply touching, being touched and being close to someone helps a person feel loved and special.

Want to know more?

Flying

If you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and are planning to fly, go to your GP for a fitness-to-fly assessment. This involves checking your breathing using spirometry and measuring your oxygen levels.

Before travelling, remember to pack all your medication, such as inhalers, in your hand luggage.

If you are using oxygen therapy, tell your travel operator and airline before you book your holiday, as you may need to get a medical form from your GP. If you are using long-term oxygen therapy, arrange to take an adequate oxygen supply with you abroad.

Want to know more?

Money and financial support

People with COPD often have to give up work because their breathlessness stops them from doing what they need to do for their job. This can cause financial pressure.

There are several benefits for which people with COPD may be eligible:

  • If you have a job but cannot work because of your illness, you are entitled to Statutory Sick Pay from your employer.
  • If you do not have a job and cannot work because of your illness, you may be entitled to Employment and Support Allowance.
  • If you are caring for someone with COPD, you may be entitled to Carer’s Allowance.
  • You may be eligible for other benefits if you have children living at home or if you have a low household income.

Want to know more?

End of life care

COPD is a serious condition. At least 25,000 people die each year from the end stages of COPD.

As with other conditions that cannot be reversed or cured, it is important to receive good care at the end of life. Talking about this and planning it in advance can be helpful. This is called palliative care.

It can be difficult to talk about dying with your doctor and, particularly with family and friends, but many people find that it helps. Support is also available for your family and friends.

It may be helpful to discuss which symptoms you may have as you become more seriously ill, and the treatments that are available to reduce these.

As COPD progresses, your doctor should work with you to establish a clear management plan based on your and your carer’s wishes. This will include whether you would prefer to go to hospital, a hospice or be looked after at home as you become more ill.

You may want to discuss drawing up an advance decision, also called a living will, which sets out your wishes for treatment if you become too ill to be consulted. This might include whether you want to be resuscitated if you stop breathing, and whether you want artificial ventilation to be continued.

Want to know more?

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Published Date
2012-12-21 12:18:14Z
Last Review Date
2012-09-10 00:00:00Z
Next Review Date
2014-09-10 00:00:00Z
Classification
Breathing problems,Breathlessness,British Lung Foundation,Chronic illnesses,Chronically ill,COPD,Getting active,Long-term management,Relationships,Weight management

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease – NHS Choices

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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 

Introduction 

COPD

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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the name for a collection of lung diseases, including chronic bronchitis, emphysema and chronic obstructive airways disease. People with COPD have trouble breathing in and out, due to long-term damage to the lungs, usually because of smoking. Watch this video to find out more about COPD (bronchitis and emphysema), which affects an estimated 3 million people in the UK.

Media last reviewed: 21/10/2013

Next review due: 21/10/2015

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the name for a collection of lung diseases including chronic bronchitis, emphysema and chronic obstructive airways disease.

People with COPD have difficulties breathing, primarily due to the narrowing of their airways, this is called airflow obstruction.

Typical symptoms of COPD include:

  • increasing breathlessness when active
  • a persistent cough with phlegm
  • frequent chest infections

Read more about the symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Why does COPD happen?

The main cause of COPD is smoking. The likelihood of developing COPD increases the more you smoke and the longer you’ve been smoking. This is because smoking irritates and inflames the lungs, which results in scarring.

Over many years, the inflammation leads to permanent changes in the lung. The walls of the airways thicken and more mucus is produced. Damage to the delicate walls of the air sacs in the lungs causes emphysema and the lungs lose their normal elasticity. The smaller airways also become scarred and narrowed. These changes cause the symptoms of breathlessness, cough and phlegm associated with COPD.

Some cases of COPD are caused by fumes, dust, air pollution and genetic disorders, but these are rarer.

Read more about the causes of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Who is affected?

COPD is one of the most common respiratory diseases in the UK. It usually affects people over the age of 35, although most people are not diagnosed until they are in their fifties.

It is thought there are over 3 million people living with the disease in the UK, of which only about 900,000 have been diagnosed. This is because many people who develop symptoms of COPD do not get medical help because they often dismiss their symptoms as a ‘smoker’s cough’.

COPD affects more men than women, although rates in women are increasing.

Diagnosis

It is important that COPD is diagnosed as early as possible so treatment can be used to try to slow down the deterioration of your lungs. You should see your GP if you have any of the symptoms mentioned above.

COPD is usually diagnosed after a consultation with your doctor, which may be followed by breathing tests.

Read more about diagnosing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Treating COPD

Although the damage that has already occurred to your lungs cannot be reversed, you can slow down the progression of the disease. Stopping smoking is particularly effective at doing this.

Treatments for COPD usually involve relieving the symptoms with medication, for example by using an inhaler to make breathing easier.

Surgery is only an option for a small number of people with COPD.

Read more about treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Living with COPD

COPD can affect your life in many ways, but help is available to reduce its impact.

Simple steps such as keeping healthy, being as active as possible, learning breathing techniques, and taking your medication can help you to reduce the symptoms of COPD.

Financial support and advice about relationships and end of life care is also available for people with COPD.

Read more about living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Want to know more?

  • British Lung Foundation: COPD

Can COPD be prevented?

Although COPD causes about 25,000 deaths a year in the UK, severe COPD can usually be prevented by making changes to your lifestyle.

If you smoke, stopping is the single most effective way to reduce your risk of getting the condition.

Research has shown you are up to four times more likely to succeed in giving up smoking if you use NHS support along with stop-smoking medicines such as patches or gum. Ask your doctor about this, call the NHS Smoking Helpline on 0300 123 1044 or go to the NHS Smokefree website.

Also avoid exposure to tobacco smoke as much as possible.

Want to know more?

Page last reviewed: 11/09/2012

Next review due: 11/09/2014

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Comments

The 28 comments posted are personal views. Any information they give has not been checked and may not be accurate.

Jonesfromlondon89 said on 08 October 2014

When we had our office refurbished this flared up my asthma. I was in and out of work. The company did some tests and bought in a couple of air purifiers, I have one not far from my desk and it has really made a difference.

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Puddy22 said on 06 August 2014

I was diagnosed three years ago with Genetic COPD plus Asthma i have had Asthma as far back as i can remember .. I am 56 yrs old but my lungs are the age of an 86 year old .. I used to smoke but have not for over seventeen years .. I have no idea what stage i am but i too as was mentioned am always asked .. How many cigarettes do i smoke .. I tell them i do not and they just look shocked .. My main question i guess is what stage am i !

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simon1330 said on 01 August 2014

My Dad passed away in April with the condition of COPD, my Father had COPD for at least fifteen years, spending alot of time in hospital, bad chest infections, he could not walk any more than a few feet without being so short of breath. he had to go on oxygen for the past 4 to 5 years of his life. It was horrible to see my father being so weak, I do think if anyone smokes they should give up because the chances of becoming ill with COPD is very high.

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lesme said on 28 July 2014

I think I have been suffering with copd for many years. I first went to my doctor about 15 years ago complaining of not getting satifaction with breathing, I was yawning and could not always reach a climax. I told the doctor this and he said that I must be getting satisfaction otherwise I wouldn’t be here. About five years later I complained again to another doctor and he told me that I could not have emphysema as i had never been a smoker.
Three years ago a new doctor came to the practice and sent me to have a test with a nurse who had a knowledge of copd and the test showed that I had lost about 30% of my lung capacity. I am now on two inhalersVentolin which I take as required and Serevent which I take morning and night.

They have given me some relief but I am still breathless especially in the evening. I have been exercising all my life with jogging and using weights which reallly help the opening of my lungs, I try to eercise every day. I have never smoked and put my disability to the filthy air where I lived in the Manchester especially in the 40’s and 50’s.

My experience with doctors leaves a lot to be desired.

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Powis said on 28 January 2014

I have been told today that I might be in the very early stages of COPD. Having looked it all up, I am somewhat concerned (but I should’nt really be, being a smoker) as I have been going to my GP for some 18 months.

I have been put on to an inhaler, and am amazed at the difference it made walking up the hill tonight, after just two goes on the inhaler.

So from today, I am on all the nicotine support stuff. Tomorrow is another day, and I intend to stop smoking. But watch this space. Saying it is easy, but doing it is another matter. Which to be totally honest is a very easy excuse.

I cared for my mum through her last weeks of lung cancer. 5 minutes after she died, I was out there having a cigarette! That should have been my lesson …..
Hopefully if I am in the very early stages, stopping smoking and picking up on physical activity should help.

There are no excuses, I have made (bad) choices.
I am due to have my tests on Monday. So lets hope I am not too far down the line……………

Many folks have said their afflicted family/friend was in a state of depression. Does that make a difference?

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Tyaloria said on 01 January 2014

I am 31 and have genetic COPD. The Dr’s and nurses were treating me for pleurisy for over a year before they decided to do some more invasive tests after my consistent moaning.
Regardless of your age (I know guidelines say its rare before age 35), if you think something’s wrong just go and have a check up. Stamp you feet and ask to be seen by a respiratory nurse.
The sooner you catch the symptoms the more likely that you can get help.
oxox Good luck.

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maywood said on 17 August 2013

my wife was diagnosed with COPD 5 years ago, she died suddenly recently and the post mortem report said that her respiratory system was normal with no scarring or abnormalities,her lungs were oedematous which I presume was a result of the heart attack she suffered.If she had COPD would the damage caused by this disease have shown up at post mortem?I am wondering if she had a heart problem 5 years ago and not COPD

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Elizabeth1234 said on 17 May 2013

My Mum was diagnosed with this years ago and sadly died in 2002 age 50 when I was only just a teenager. She also had mental health issues. When I was young I didn’t understand that this was but now im conducting my research. I feel so sad that my mum is not here but also feel a bit angry?? She was a heavy smoker and not just the cigarettes also ‘wacky backy’. She didn’t even stop smoking.. So to anyone who has this horrible disease please stop smoking! None of this ‘i cant’ because you can! It could mean the difference between a few extra years with your loved ones and not leaving your children/grandchildren without a mother & grandma.

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MarcusK said on 28 April 2013

It appears that my Father has been diagnosed with COPD. I say ‘appears’ as we only found out when he attended an Asthma clinic, which he received a letter from his GP telling him to attend, only to be told that he’d been booked into the wrong clinic as he had COPD. As the nurse was reading from the existing GP notes, she assumed that we knew what she was talking about. When we explained that we did not have a clue, she was very surprised, telling us that he had been diagnosed years ago and been treated for this for some time.
He’s been steadily getting more unwell for the past 3 years and the last 18 months has seen an increasing downturn in health.
He’s had no support or explanation about his disorder and has been told nothing about managing it.
Be warned! Make sure that when you are talking to your GP you ask questions and never be satisfied that you have been told everything!

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Wendinthewillows said on 06 March 2013

I were diagnosed with COPD in May 1999, in Sept 2004 I were lucky enough to lung volume reduction surgery, half my right lung were removed, Since diagnosis I have never used inhalers and in 14 years I’ve probably had 14 chest infections, I rarely have a flu vaccine and during a recent annual visit to my respiratory consultant, I was told I look better than ever and all my pulmonary function tests this year have increased yet again, albeit only slightly. The reason for this, well the reason I believe is because of my positive attitude, my consultant will back me on this too, I continue to work in a very demanding and manual job, I ride a bike and I refuse to let this disease beat me .. perhaps I’m one of the lucky ones but I think not …

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GregE123 said on 21 September 2012

Rosy B- there are methods of controlling COPD so do not lose heart. and some are quite effective.

Unfortunately every time I post one up here the moderators take it down citing “personal gain” which is odd because the treatments are generic and naturally occurring – I cannot even mention a web site that deals with many ailments and has many participants corresponding.

All I can do is say that you will need access to the internet and do google searches on “COPD alternative treatment” or some such.

I have COPD (moderators: this blog allows “personal experience”) and have experienced very marked improvements. The several remedies I have tried are all very inexpensive.

Sorry, I cannot say any more.

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Rosy B said on 30 August 2012

My husband has COPD. It is stated on your website that if sufferers make lifestyle changes, the COPD will not worsen. This is just not true. My husband gave up smoking as soon as he was diagnosed in 2002, but the disease continues relentlessly. Also, I have read elsewhere that COPD patients should have physio to help clear the chest, and advice regarding exercises to help breathing and increase lung capacity, but he has never received any advice of that nature, just a regular check-up with the asthma nurse at the surgery.

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GregE123 said on 20 May 2012

Well, about 20 years ago I had complained to my GP a number of times about my breathing which I had noticed got worse in the spring and autumn when I tended to get flu’s. He also always dismissed my complaints – I remember his last comment was "go take a run on the common". Which I, as a respectful type of person, did (ending up gasping). Then I insisted on a hospital visit where they diagnosed bronchitis (COPD today). I knew it was a disease but didnt really know anything ( this was before the internet) and nobody including my the respected GP told me anything about it.

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als1uk said on 20 May 2012

i was diagnosed with copd at 38 years of age!! i had club finger nails and toes for atleast 5 years before my diagnosis! which as they are very sore kept questioning my gp about not once was i sent for a chest xray!! was taken into hospital with chest pains after i was checked for a heart attack sent home told nothing wrong with you !!! thought i was going mad! they just couldnt get there heads around someone so young having emphysema /copd if they had checked me properly im sure with inhalers and teh right advice the 5 years before diagnoses would have been far more bearable!!! gps do not know enough about lung disease and the associated illnesses pains and problems!!

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ruth4214 said on 12 May 2012

hi ruth i am carer for my husband who got copd

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ruth4214 said on 12 May 2012

my husband got copd and mental health as well and i got to watch all the time and we got a son with leaning disabilities i am care for my husband and mum to my son it is very hard job looking after my husband

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ruth4214 said on 12 May 2012

my hunsband has got copd and i am very worry about him he is only in his 40’s

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Nora Leonard Roy said on 30 April 2012

Sue Freewoman,
Have you been tested for Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency? It is a rare genetic cause of emphysema/copd. I have it, and so do thousands of others in the UK, the USA, and many other countries. Do not despair.

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Nora Leonard Roy said on 30 April 2012

To Sue Freewoman,
You may have Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. The test for it is a blood test, probably available through your own gp or your respiratory consultant. If you do have Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, as I and many other people do, do not despair. There are excellent resources for information and support. The best right now are available through the American organizations, the Alpha-1 Association http://www.alpha1.org/
and the Alpha-1 Foundation
http://alpha-1foundation.org/.

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Sue Freewoman said on 29 April 2012

I was diagnosed with COPD on 3rd February this year. I have never smoked, but spent many years living with a pipe smoker. I’m 57. When I first googled this condition, I was met with ‘irreversible and degenerative’; lung transplants for the young; morphine and tranquillisers in the final stages; and one article telling me I had between 6 months and 5 years to live. It certainly seems rapidly degenerative. Since then I’ve had a 2 month bout of broncitis and am now breathless every day and night. Am deeply depressed. Any ideas?

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me vicky said on 29 December 2011

what to do when u cant eat then it make u bad his their someone that can tell me what is best to eat

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helenherbert said on 31 October 2011

Sweetchilli I empathise with you regarding the lack of sympathy for COPD sufferers. My mum (78 years old) has had chronic asthma since a child and was diagnosed with COPD 5 years ago. It is terminal and she has frequent exacerbations. Every chest infection is life threatening. She has never smoked a cigarette in her life and doctors always ask her how many cigarettes she smokes a day! Friends say how well she looks but they cannot see the state of her lungs. She has nebulisers and oxygen at home. Exacerbations this year have been treated with a CPAP machine as her CO2 levels get out of kilter and cause hypoxia which can be life threatening. We spend an awful lot of time at the hospital but my mum is still with us and her grandchildrten and I am thankful for that.

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maruth said on 19 September 2011

i had a mobility problem before COPD,but have lost a lot of strength in my legs,since being told not to climb the stairs anymore,have lost my simple exercise sheets,but i must do some exercise not to lose anymore
.
is it possible to have a second reference to pulmonary rehab.

i am on oxygen now, for exercise ,would really benefit from P R, if possible.does anyone know about this

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SamanthaPia said on 15 May 2011

I was Diagnosed with copd because an xray revealed a broken rib from 6 years ago that i was unaware of. the xray was for heart pain, but the shadow of the broken rid (thought it might be asbestos at first) caused them to ask for a CT scan. that showed the broken rib and COPD.within 6 months i have also been diagnosed with severe obstructive Sleep apnoea(OSA) (i stop breathing 45 times per hour on average). and have a CPAP machine to collect on Friday to use. On top of 9 heart attacks, and 3 stents. and i am not 50 years old yet.. what next?
The staff at the hospital are 1st class and look after me very well. my oxygen saturation was 90% at the last appointment. they will take it again next week and if it is that low again, i will most likely have oxygen at home. 3 lung infections in 6 weeks is doing my head in and i cant get rid of the last one so going to let it fester till its so bad the hospital have to deal with it.
Memory is a huge issue, i can forget what we are talking about in mid conversation, its embarrassing. but not as much as being over taken by 2 80 plus year old ladies who would do well in the grand national. 3 inhalers a day and one causes thrush, not a winner within my all female social group and club. kissing is off the list of things to do.

Weight. any fool except the NHS can do the maths here. Sammie walks for 4 hours at the pace i can walk, and that burns off 800 calories. i eat 1600 (less that a child’s amount) and i put on 800 calories in weight. this equates to about 1 pound per month of weight on. i am advised not to go on a 1200cal diet, but that still puts on 400Cal’s I need to be on an 800calorie diet just to break even and stop putting weight on. But that low means i get fatigued all day just doing minor things. so Diet is not the answer. what is? how long can i go with just water and multivitamin pills every day?

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David1971 said on 09 May 2011

My father was diagnosed as having COPD at least 3 yrs ago. In the last 5 weeks I got a call from him saying he has been diagnosed with Lung Cancer. As you can imagine it was a very upsetting time. So what we thought was a long term illness suddenly became months. Not 3 weeks later my father passed away. The post mortem showed that he had no signs of cancer at all and that he died from pneumonia. I’m at a loss and angry that a man in his early 60’s can first be diagnosed as having lung cancer and then subsequently die of pneumonia was this a misdiagnosis becasue of his COPD? I just don’t know what to do next I just keep thinking if he had pneumonia and it was diagnosed as such would he be alive today…

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C Nayak said on 27 August 2010

I was diagnosed for lung (pulmonary fibrosis) just by
chance as I had flu like symptoms not ridd of by antibiotics. Prior to this on many occassions had flu , cold etc. but no specialist involved until very late.

I am not sure if this happens as normal or are the COPD (just treated as such).

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SweetChili said on 11 March 2010

I was born with severe chronic asthma and spent a real lot of my childhood in hospital in an ‘oxygen tent’. I disappointed my Mum when I started smoking as a teenager! I was diagnosed with chronic bronchitis in my twenties and then COPD in my thirties. Now, in my early fourties I’m am suffering quite badly! I have a lot of ‘nodules’ on both of my lungs as well as some ‘blisters’
I am constantly breathless and find my medication (two types of inhalers) to be somewhat useless! I was given a home nebuliser, recommended by A&E as I was going there so often with exaserbations it made sense! but, after seeing a ‘specialist’ I was denied the ‘nebules’ to use in it! he said I could ‘overdose’ being that I’m on two inhalers already!
Recently, the same ‘specialist’ has said that my breathlessness is ‘in my head’!!! I’m very upset by this! how can someone with severe asthma and COPD be told their breathlessness is all in their head??

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shirley1941 said on 26 February 2010

I have coughed and spluttered my way through life for 68 years. Havng been told by NHS, no alergies, nothing wrong just Asthmatic.. It took a doctor in France to tell me I have, Pulmopnary Fibrosis. It is there on the lung scan to see. Old sca tissue that is now beginning to become a problem.

Because I come from an Asthmatic family, it was always told (uk gp) I was asthmatic. Had someone actually done a lung scan the fiobrosis would have been found sooner. It is too late now. I am 68 and the only thing I can do is to try to stay well, free from germs, stress and just keep swallowing steroids….. Am I angry? Yes It is so easy to stick labels on people, because my siblings are asthmatic then of course I must be too! Rubbish.

I have never smoked and as far as I am aware never been anywhere where toxics might have affected my lungs. But It seems I come from a family with history of pulmonary problems. Hereditery? Origin unknown is what the Drs say. Passive smoking? Asbestosis? You tell me!

SC

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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 

Living with COPD 

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can affect many aspects of your life. However, there are some simple tips and techniques to help reduce its impact.

Self-care

Self-care involves taking responsibility for your own health and wellbeing with support from people involved in your care.

People living with long-term conditions can benefit enormously if they receive support for self-care. They can live longer, have less pain, anxiety, depression and fatigue, a better quality of life and are more active and independent. Learn more about self-care.

Take your medication

It’s important to take your medication as prescribed, even if you start to feel better. Continuous medication can help prevent flare-ups. If you have questions or concerns about the medication you’re taking or side effects, talk to your healthcare team.

It may also be useful to read the information leaflet that comes with the medication about possible interactions with other drugs or supplements. Check with your healthcare team if you plan to take any over-the-counter remedies, such as painkillers, or any nutritional supplements. This is because these can sometimes interfere with your medication.

Regular reviews

Because COPD is a long-term condition, you’ll be in regular contact with your healthcare team. A good relationship with the team allows you to easily discuss your symptoms or concerns. The more the team knows, the more they can help you.

Regular meetings with a healthcare professional may also mean that any complications of COPD are spotted early. These include:

  • cor pulmonale, a condition where there is raised pressure in the arteries of the lungs (the pulmonary arteries), and the body retains fluid
  • depression

Keeping well

Everyone with a long-term condition such as COPD is encouraged to get a yearly flu jab each autumn to protect against flu. They are also recommended to get an anti-pneumococcal vaccination, a one-off injection that protects against serious infection caused by pneumococcal bacteria.

Check the weather

Check the forecast as the weather might have an effect on COPD symptoms. Cold spells lasting at least a week and periods of hot weather and humidity can cause breathing problems.

Watch what you breathe

To reduce symptoms of COPD and chances of a flare-up, there are certain things that should be avoided if possible, including:

  • dusty places
  • fumes, such as car exhausts
  • smoke
  • air freshener sprays or plug-ins
  • strong-smelling cleaning products, unless there is plenty of ventilation
  • hairspray
  • perfume

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Exercise

People with COPD who exercise or keep active regularly have improved breathing, less severe symptoms and a better quality of life.

For most people with COPD who are disabled by their breathlessness, a structured programme of pulmonary rehabilitation provided by experienced healthcare professionals does the most good. Getting breathless is unpleasant but it isn’t harmful. Every patient should exercise as much as they can, however limited that may be, twice a day. Even chair-bound people can do some arm and upper-body movements.

Research shows that pulmonary rehabilitation improves exercise tolerance, breathlessness and health-related quality of life. It results in people seeing doctors less often and spending less time in hospital.

Maintain a healthy weight

Carrying extra weight can make breathlessness worse. Therefore, it is a good idea to lose weight if you are overweight. This can be difficult because the breathlessness caused by COPD can make it hard to exercise.

However, some people with COPD find that they lose weight. Eating food high in protein and taking in enough calories is important to maintain a healthy weight.

Research has shown that people with COPD who are underweight will have fewer COPD symptoms if they increase their weight.

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Breathing techniques show

There are various breathing techniques that some people find helpful for breathlessness. These include breathing control, which involves breathing gently, using the least effort, with the shoulders supported. This can help when people with COPD feel short of breath.

Breathing techniques for people who are more active include:

  • relaxed, slow deep breathing 
  • breathing through pursed lips, as if whistling 
  • breathing out hard when doing an activity that needs a big effort
  • paced breathing, using a rhythm in time with the activity, such as climbing stairs

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Talk to others show

If you have questions, your GP or nurse may be able to reassure you. You may find it helpful to talk to a trained counsellor or psychologist, or someone at a specialist helpline. Your GP surgery will have information on these.

Some people find it helpful to talk to other people who have COPD, either at a local support group or in an internet chat room.

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Relationships and sex show

Relationships with friends and family

Having a chronic illness such as COPD can put a strain on any relationship. Difficulty breathing and coughing can make people with COPD feel very tired and depressed. It is also inevitable that their spouse, partner or carer will feel anxious or frustrated about their breathing problems. It is important to talk about your worries together.

Being open about how you feel and what your family and friends can do to help may put them at ease. But do not feel shy about telling them that you need some time to yourself, if that is what you want.

Your sex life

As COPD progresses, the increasing breathlessness can make it difficult to take part in activities. The breathlessness may occur during sexual activity, which may mean your sex life can suffer.

Communicate with your partner and stay open-minded. Explore what you both like sexually. Simply touching, being touched and being close to someone helps a person feel loved and special.

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Flying show

If you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and are planning to fly, go to your GP for a fitness-to-fly assessment. This involves checking your breathing using spirometry and measuring your oxygen levels.

Before travelling, remember to pack all your medication, such as inhalers, in your hand luggage.

If you are using oxygen therapy, tell your travel operator and airline before you book your holiday, as you may need to get a medical form from your GP. If you are using long-term oxygen therapy, arrange to take an adequate oxygen supply with you abroad.

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Money and financial support   show

People with COPD often have to give up work because their breathlessness stops them from doing what they need to do for their job. This can cause financial pressure.

There are several benefits for which people with COPD may be eligible:

  • If you have a job but cannot work because of your illness, you are entitled to Statutory Sick Pay from your employer.
  • If you do not have a job and cannot work because of your illness, you may be entitled to Employment and Support Allowance.
  • If you are caring for someone with COPD, you may be entitled to Carer’s Allowance.
  • You may be eligible for other benefits if you have children living at home or if you have a low household income.

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End of life care  show

COPD is a serious condition. At least 25,000 people die each year from the end stages of COPD.

As with other conditions that cannot be reversed or cured, it is important to receive good care at the end of life. Talking about this and planning it in advance can be helpful. This is called palliative care.

It can be difficult to talk about dying with your doctor and, particularly with family and friends, but many people find that it helps. Support is also available for your family and friends.

It may be helpful to discuss which symptoms you may have as you become more seriously ill, and the treatments that are available to reduce these.

As COPD progresses, your doctor should work with you to establish a clear management plan based on your and your carer’s wishes. This will include whether you would prefer to go to hospital, a hospice or be looked after at home as you become more ill.

You may want to discuss drawing up an advance decision, also called a living will, which sets out your wishes for treatment if you become too ill to be consulted. This might include whether you want to be resuscitated if you stop breathing, and whether you want artificial ventilation to be continued.

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Page last reviewed: 11/09/2012

Next review due: 11/09/2014

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COPD real story

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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

See what the doctor sees with Map of Medicine

The Map of Medicine is used by doctors throughout the NHS to determine the best treatment options for their patients. NHS Choices offers everyone in England exclusive and free access to this cutting-edge internet resource, which lets you see exactly what your doctor sees.

The information in the Map has been approved by the UK’s leading clinical experts, is based on the best available clinical evidence, and is continually updated. To take advantage of this unique resource go to:

Map of Medicine: COPD

Map of Medicine: smoking cessation

Published Date
2014-10-01 11:55:03Z
Last Review Date
2010-01-07 00:00:00Z
Next Review Date
2012-01-07 00:00:00Z
Classification


NHS Choices Syndication

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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Symptoms of COPD

The symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) usually develop over a number of years, so you may not be aware you have the condition.

COPD does not usually become noticeable until after the age of 35. See your GP if you have the following symptoms:

  • increasing breathlessness when exercising or moving around
  • a persistent cough with phlegm that never seems to go away 
  • frequent chest infections, particularly in winter
  • wheezing

If you have these symptoms, you should see your GP to ensure you are diagnosed and treated as soon as possible.

If you have COPD, the airways of the lungs become inflamed and narrowed. As the air sacs get permanently damaged, it will become increasingly difficult to breathe out.

Symptoms of COPD are often worse in winter, and it is common to have two or more flare-ups a year. A flare-up (also known as an exacerbation) is when your symptoms are particularly bad. This is one of the most common reasons for people being admitted to hospital in the UK.

Other signs of COPD can include:

  • weight loss
  • tiredness and fatigue
  • swollen ankles

Chest pain and coughing up blood (haemoptysis) are not common symptoms of COPD, they are usually caused by other conditions, such as lung cancer.

While there is currently no cure for COPD, the sooner the condition is diagnosed and appropriate treatment begins, the less chance there is of severe lung damage.

Read more about treating COPD.

Published Date
2012-12-21 12:16:42Z
Last Review Date
2012-09-10 00:00:00Z
Next Review Date
2014-09-10 00:00:00Z
Classification
Breathing problems,Breathlessness,Chronic illnesses,COPD,Healthy eating,Weight loss,Weight management


NHS Choices Syndication

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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Treating COPD

Stop smoking

Stopping smoking is the main way for people with COPD to help themselves feel better and is the only proven way to reduce the rate of decline in lung function in people with COPD.

Stopping smoking at an early stage of the disease makes a huge difference. Any damage already done to the airways cannot be reversed, but giving up smoking can slow the rate at which the condition worsens.

If COPD is in the early stages and symptoms are mild, no other treatments may be needed. However, it is never too late to stop smoking. Even people with fairly advanced COPD are likely to benefit from quitting, which may prevent further damage to the airways.

Research has shown you are up to four times more likely to give up smoking successfully if you use NHS support along with stop-smoking medicines such as tablets, patches or gum. Ask your doctor about this or go to the NHS Smokefree website.

Want to know more?

Inhalers

If an inhaler is prescribed for you, your GP, practice nurse or pharmacist can explain how to use it. They will check you are using it properly. Most people learn to use an inhaler successfully, but if you are having problems, a spacer or a different type of inhaler device may help you take your medicines correctly. A spacer is a device that increases the amount of medication that reaches the lungs.

Short-acting bronchodilator inhalers

Short-acting bronchodilator inhalers deliver a small dose of medicine directly to your lungs, causing the muscles in your airways to relax and open up.

There are two types of short-acting bronchodilator inhaler:

  • beta-2 agonist inhalers, such as salbutamol and terbutaline
  • antimuscarinic inhalers, such as ipratropium

The inhaler should be used when you feel breathless and this should relieve the symptoms.

Long-acting bronchodilator inhalers

If a short-acting bronchodilator inhaler does not help relieve your symptoms, your GP may recommend a long-acting bronchodilator inhaler. This works in a similar way to a short-acting bronchodilator, but each dose lasts for at least 12 hours.

There are two types of long-acting bronchodilator inhalers:

  • beta-2 agonist inhalers, such as salmeterol and formoterol
  • antimuscarinic inhalers, such as tiotropium

Steroid inhalers

Steroid inhalers, also called corticosteroid inhalers, work by reducing the inflammation in your airways.

If you are still getting breathless or having flare-ups even when taking long-acting bronchodilator inhalers, your GP may suggest including a steroid inhaler as part of your treatment. Most people with COPD will be prescribed a steroid inhaler as part of a combination inhaler.

Medicines

Theophylline tablets

If you are getting breathless or having flare-ups when using a combination of inhalers, your GP may prescribe theophylline tablets. Theophylline causes the muscles of your airways to relax and open up.

When you have been taking theophylline tablets regularly, you may need to give a blood sample to measure the amount of theophylline in your blood and help your GP prescribe the appropriate dose of tablet. This will allow you to get the correct dose of theophylline while reducing the likelihood of side effects.

Due to the risk of potential side effects, such as increased heart rate and headaches, other medicines, such as a bronchodilator inhaler, are usually tried before theophylline.

Mucolytic tablets or capsules

Mucolytics, such as carbocisteine, make the mucus and phlegm in your throat thinner and easier to cough up. They are particularly beneficial for people with a persistent cough with lots of thick phlegm or who have frequent or bad flare-ups.

Antibiotics and steroid tablets

If you have a chest infection, your GP may prescribe a short course of antibiotics.

Steroid tablets may also be prescribed as a short course if you have a bad flare-up. They work best if they are taken as the flare-up starts, so your GP may give you a course to keep at home. Occasionally, you may have to take a longer course of steroid tablets. Your GP will give you the lowest effective dose and monitor you for side effects. Side effects are not usual if steroid tablets are given for less than three weeks.

Read more about the medicines used in the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease medicines guide.

Other types of treatment

Nebulised medication

Nebulised medication can be used for severe cases of COPD if other inhaler devices have not worked effectively. A compressor is a machine that administers nebulised medicine through a mouthpiece or a face mask. The medicine is in a liquid form and is converted into a fine mist. This enables a large dose of medicine to be taken in one go.

You can usually choose whether to use nebulised medication with a mouthpiece or a facemask. Your GP will advise you on how to use the machine correctly.

Long-term oxygen therapy

If the oxygen level in your blood is low, you may be advised to have oxygen at home through nasal tubes, also called a nasal cannula, or through a mask. Oxygen is not a treatment for breathlessness, but it is helpful for some patients with persistently low oxygen levels in the blood.

You will probably be referred for more detailed assessment to see whether you might benefit from long-term oxygen therapy.

If you are prescribed long term oxygen therapy, it must be taken for at least 15 hours a day in order to be effective. The tubes from the machine are long so you will be able to move around your home while you are connected. Portable oxygen tanks are available if you need to use oxygen away from home.

The aim of long-term oxygen therapy is to extend your life.

Do not smoke when you are using oxygen. The increased level of oxygen produced is highly flammable, and a lit cigarette could trigger a fire or explosion.

Read more about home oxygen treatment.

Non-invasive ventilation (NIV)

Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) helps a person breathe using a portable machine connected to a mask covering the nose or face. You may receive it if you are taken to hospital because of a flare-up. You may be referred to a specialist centre to see if home NIV could help you. NIV is used to improve the functioning of your lungs.

Pulmonary rehabilitation programmes

Pulmonary rehabilitation is a programme of exercise and education designed to help people with chronic lung problems. It can increase your exercise capacity, mobility and self-confidence.

Pulmonary rehabilitation is based on a programme of physical exercise training tailored to your needs. It usually involves walking or cycling, and arm and strength-building exercises. It also includes education about your disease for you and your family, dietary assessment and advice, and psychological, social and behavioural changes designed to help you cope better. A rehabilitation programme is provided by a multidisciplinary team, which includes physiotherapists, respiratory nurse specialists and dietitians.

Pulmonary rehabilitation takes place in a group and the course usually lasts for about six weeks. During the course, you will learn more about your COPD and how to control your symptoms.

Pulmonary rehabilitation can greatly improve your quality of life.

Surgery

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Published Date
2014-08-20 16:33:12Z
Last Review Date
2012-09-10 00:00:00Z
Next Review Date
2014-09-10 00:00:00Z
Classification
Antibiotics,Breathlessness,British Lung Foundation,Bronchodilator drugs,COPD,National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence,Oxygen therapy,Stopping smoking

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