Emphysema and COPD
More than 8,000 patients with COPD have signed up to a scheme that warns people with the condition when a cold snap is on the way, helping to cut hospital admissions.
The Met Office sends out alerts telling sufferers when the cold weather is due and the British Lung Foundation says users can plan ahead to avoid cold snaps that could harm their health.
Cold air makes a patient's airways narrow, making it harder than normal to breathe. Deaths due to breathing conditions like COPD increase 12 days after a drop in temperature.
Patients can sign up to the scheme through their medical practice - there are more than 8,000 currently taking part.
goodtoknow says: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is usually caused by smoking. The main symptoms are a cough, breathlessness, phlegm and recurrent chest infections. COPD basically means a condition which affects the airflow to the lungs. It includes persistent (chronic) bronchitis and emphysema and accounts for more sick leave than any other illness. It's most common in smokers over 40. Around 3 in 20 one-pack-a-day- smokers will get COPD. Symptoms can be eased with inhalers, steroids, antibiotics and oxygen. But the best possible solution is to stop smoking. See your GP if you're having trouble giving up.
For a full medical explanation of the causes, symptoms and treatments of COPD from patient.co.uk, read on.
COPD is an 'umbrella' term for people with chronic bronchitis, emphysema, or both. In this conditon the airflow to the lungs is restricted (obstructed). COPD is usually caused by smoking. Symptoms include cough and breathlessness. The most important treatment is to stop smoking. Inhalers are commonly used to ease symptoms. Other treatments such as steroids, antibiotics, oxygen, and mucolytic medicines are sometimes prescribed in severe cases, or during a flare-up (exacerbation) of symptoms.
- Next: What is COPD?
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mike morris, about 1 year
was diagnosed with copd 18 months ago and have had 2 visits 2 intensive care in weston general hospital and bristol southmead where was ventilated and tracheas done at the end of the day i,m still here and if u can adjust 2 life its great
Report this commentbrian palfrey, about 1 year
i have been told i have copd,i have been given treatment i also have spondilytus of the spine an d am on mst a morphine tablet because of the severe pain.can this have any discomfort with my copd.thank you,i am also on statins
Report this commentpaul driffield, about 1 year
i,ve got the same copd but i find getting on with is better than moning about it is better and getting on with your life enjoying most part of it is the best.
Report this commentmandy williams, over 2 years
I have had chronic asthma all my life but in my early 30's I started having more and more chest infections and asthma attacks until finally a scan showed a shadow on my lung which was then removed (scarey op, as you have a drain coming out your side for some time after, in my case 15 days!!) Wgich totally freaked me out!! But I was hopeful that when it healed I would be much better but that was not to be the case. That was in 2004, and to date I have had about ten hosp addmissions with what they call "episodes" I call "attacks", who cares what its called its bloody scarey!!! I have now been told I have emphysema and also COPD. My latest breathing test showed 29% lung capacity 3 months ago. 3 months before that I was told I was at critical level at 37% lung capacity! I have now been referred to the MacMillan Nurses who are total angels in disguise, they got me a wheelchair mega quick and are looking into a stair lift as I am stuck in my room as the toilet is upstairs. My last appt with my consultant was very doom and gloom as he is running out of options to try me with as I am on mazimum dosage of every known tablet (or have tried it!). My only glimmer of hope now is that he is referring me to the Transplant Team in Newcastle to see if I would be a candidate. Im hoping as I have age on my side with a young son who is my world, that I would be more of a candidate than a 70year old who has lived double my lifetime. Please register as a donor and encourage those around you as the shortage is unbelievable caompared to the deaths in this country every day. Try not to put it off "til tomorrow", as we all know 2mro never comes and for me 2mro may be too late!! Also I am on a mega dose of steroids which have completely changed the shape of my face and body along with lots of other unpleasant side effects but I do have a mirror and do not need reminding of them from supposed well meaning (nosey) folk!! Id rather look like this and be here for my son, who by the way is a total angel and I couldnt have wished for a better son, sometimes I think he is soo good that he cant possibly be mine!! If only I wasnt ill then everything would be just perfect, my darlin hubby means the world to me, they both do, they make it seem worth fighting for anyway. I have to stay strong and pray for the best, all mentions to the wise one up above would make me truely greatful!!!
Report this commentChris, over 2 years
COPD takes a couple of years to get dianosged with and plus COPD is a ever lasting thing you can't just have it for 18 months paul maddocks
Report this commentpaul maddocks, over 2 years
I have been diagnoised with copd for just 18 months and have always thought it was just another medical scare tactic to stop you from smoking how wrong . I have been admited to hospital 6 times this year i have now stopped the cigs & would urge anyone who has the slightest chest complaint & smokes or even healthy people to do the same it does completely ruin you life.
Report this commentdavid quinn, over 2 years
i had a bulla and apiece of lung taken away through emphacema and still have it on the leftside and still get breathless what shoud i do xuzy
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derek kendrick, 8 months
i have just been diagnoised with copd andwould like to know do you get any help from the dss.?
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