COPD Awareness Month
Published at 22 November, 2021.
November is known as COPD Awareness month with the World COPD Day taking place on November 17th.
The 2021 theme for World COPD Day was “Healthy Lungs – Never More Important”. The aim is to highlight that the burden of COPD remains, in spite of the ongoing global COVID pandemic.
Keeping your lungs healthy can include avoiding cigarettes, air pollution or occupational exposures, as well as staying active either through regular physical activity or pulmonary rehab.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is an umbrella term for both emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
COPD is a common condition that mainly affects middle-aged or older adults who smoke, many people do not realise they have it.
The breathing problems tend to get gradually worse over time and can limit your normal activities, although treatment can help keep the condition under control.
The main symptoms of COPD are:
- Increasing breathlessness, particularly when active
- A persistent chesty couch with phlegm
- Frequent chest infections
- Persistent wheezing
Without treatment, the symptoms usually get progressively worse. There may also be periods when they get suddenly worse, known as a flare-up or exacerbation.
If you have COPD and you smoke, the most important thing to do is to stop smoking. Or if you are worried about having COPD, stopping smoking will help reduce the risks.
There are many ways we can help:
Quit online - https://yorkshiresmokefree.nhs.uk/pages/quit-online
Our online quit tool will allow you to create your own personal profile and will support you on a daily basis through your quit journey.
Telephone support - our advisors are on hand to answer any questions or provide additional support as you need it. You can call 0800 612 0011 (free from landlines) or 0330 660 1166.
Visit our frequently asked questions section to find out more: https://yorkshiresmokefree.nhs.uk/frequently-asked-questions
