PEOPLE with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are being encouraged to improve their quality of life by managing their condition, keeping active and taking up exercise.
Today, Wednesday, November 18, marks World COPD Day which aims to raise awareness of the condition and encourage sufferers to take action.
COPD describes a group of lung conditions that make it difficult to empty air out of the lungs because the airways have been narrowed.
Around 1.2 million people are living with diagnosed COPD in the UK, however, it is estimated that there are three million people in the UK who have the disease.
Symptoms include:
Breathlessness
Frequent chest infections
Wheezing
Phlegmy, chesty cough
Keeping active and doing exercise can make a big difference to people living with the disease. Regular exercise can help to improve fitness levels, ease symptoms and recover breath.
There are many ways to keep active and health leaders in south Warwickshire are encouraging COPD sufferers to find an activity that works for them and their condition.
Dr David Spraggett, Chair of South Warwickshire CCG said: “Living with COPD can be difficult, but you can do a lot to help manage your condition yourself.
“Knowing about your condition, your symptoms, your medications and how to cope with flare-ups will make your day-to-day life easier.
“Exercise is a great way to strengthen muscles that are used in everyday life, while also helping to strengthen your lungs.
“Finding an activity that you enjoy that helps ease your symptoms will give you the motivation to keep going.
“If you haven’t done much exercise before, or haven’t in a long time, it’s important to take it slow at first and work your way up.”
The British Long Foundation website offers ideas on how to stay active, along with a series of videos to demonstrate how to exercise safely with COPD.
