The good news is that many respiratory illnesses are reversible and there are ways to reduce symptoms and improve overall health.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an umbrella term used if you are diagnosed with emphysema, bronchitis or a combination of the two.
COPD is an extremely common, but preventable and treatable disease. It occurs when the small air passages in your lungs, the bronchial tubes, become narrower, making it harder to breathe.
Symptoms of COPD
The common symptoms are shortness of breath, persistent cough and build-up of phlegm in the lungs.
The symptoms of COPD are similar to asthma, as airway narrowing occurs in both diseases and sometimes people with COPD also have asthma.
The main difference is that the inflammatory process leading to airway narrowing differs between asthma and COPD, while asthma is typically diagnosed at a younger age, whereas COPD more commonly presents itself in those over 45.
Furthermore, in emphysema, there is destruction of the lung tissue.
Preventing COPD
Firstly, smoking will significantly increase your chances of developing COPD.
Current or past smokers are at risk of getting COPD as well as those who have lived or worked in places that were very dusty or smoky over a long period of time. There is occasionally an inherited component.
Treating COPD
If you do have the disease, we have come a really long way in diagnosis and developing treatment that will improve your symptoms, and reduce the risk of flare-ups requiring admission to hospital.
Medicines can widen the bronchial tubes and make breathing easier.
If you have just been diagnosed with COPD, I recommend:
- stopping smoking, seeing a doctor and being honest about your smoking can be a good place to start
- understanding how your medicines work and learn how to take them correctly
- making a plan with your doctor so you know what to do if your COPD suddenly becomes severe
- maintaining a healthy diet
- keeping active and learning how to exercise safely.
Latest research
In fact, research we completed in 2016 revealed that people with COPD improved significantly when using appropriate medications.
Through a randomised trial, we found triple therapy using glycopyrronium plus salmeterol/fluticasone propionate is clinically superior to salmeterol/ fluticasone alone.
We are really excited about this discovery as it will work towards improving the quality of life of those who struggle with COPD on a daily basis.
