COPD Information

Our goal is to help you to manage your condition well and to minimise the impact of the condition as far as possible. 

The best way to help you is to review your COPD with you at least once a year and to plan your care with you, including what to do when the condition flares up.

 

What is COPD?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, describes a group of lung conditions that make it difficult to empty air out of the lungs because the airways have become narrowed. For further information, please visit the NHS Website 

COPD usually develops because of long-term damage to your lungs from breathing in a harmful substance, usually cigarette smoke, as well as smoke from other sources and air pollution. Jobs where people are exposed to dust, fumes and chemicals can also contribute to developing COPD. Some people have a genetic disposition to developing COPD earlier in adult life

 

How to look after yourself

 

  • Keep active and taking part in pulmonary rehabilitation classes
  • learning how to control your breathing
  • eating well and keeping a healthy weight
  • taking care of your emotional wellbeing
  • use your inhalers as agreed with your nurse or GP, make sure you have the right inhalers, that you can use them effectively and that you don’t run out
  • if you smoke – get help to stop smoking at Mid sussex wellbeing
  • have your care plan avaliable for when your condition flares up.
  • For help with your breathing - visit right breathe

We understand exercising when you have COPD can prove more difficult. Please visit YouTube for some chair exercise tips!

a woman in an orange shirt is sitting on a bed

The most important thing, is to remember to attend your COPD Annual Review to make sure you are using the right inhaler technique and have a plan in place for managing COPD symptoms. 
Many of our COPD Annual Reviews are now being conducted as Group Clinics, this allows patients to share their experiences and learn from each other, while still getting a one-to-one review with a clinician. 

For more information on Groups, visit our Group Clinics page

 

Other Resources

 

Healthy Living

 

Lung Health and the Environment 

Did you know Climate Change is having an impact on our respiratory health? Research is showing that Climate Change is affecting Long-Term Conditions such as Asthma and COPD. You can find out more about the impact of Climate Change on health on our Healthier Planet, Healthier People page. 

Healthier Planet, Healthier People

 

Pulmonary rehabilitation

Pulmonary rehabilitation is a programme of exercise and education for people with a long-term lung condition https://www.blf.org.uk/support-for-you/keep-active/pulmonary-rehabilitation.
We know that people who engage in pulmonary rehabilitation classes generally do better than people who don’t.

 

 

Revised 11/04/2024