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.