COPD stands for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and includes diseases such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis. The disease causes progressive reduction in the amount of effort the patient can tolerate which means that they cannot keep up with their family & friends and cannot walk up hills. Eventually they cannot walk to the local shops and as things get worse they cannot easily leave their home. Associated with this are the frequent chest infections sometimes requiring frequent urgent & frightening admission to hospital.
The National Institute of Clinical Excellence has published information for people with COPD and their families.
Click here to read it.
Smoking Advice
By far and away the biggest cause of COPD is cigarette smoking.
If you smoke why not visit the NHS's "Smokefree" web site for help and advice on how to stop.
You can also 'phone them on 0800 022 4 332 for advice and further information.
Remember, there is no cure for COPD. Inhalers & tablets may help by reducing wheezing and breathlessness but they do not cure. The most important thing is to stop smoking.
Other Risks
Don't forget! Smoking doesn't only cause COPD. It is also associated with lung cancer and heart disease.
Smoking-related diseases are a major problem for Leasowe. The number of patients with COPD attending our practice is 42% above the national average.
Lung cancer rates in Leasowe are significantly above national averages and it is not unusual for us to find this unpleasant disease in patients in their 40's.
To see the effect of smoking on your heart disease risk why not visit our heart disease risk calculator.