Step up and step out!
World COPD Day to be celebrated next week
Two-thirds of the 380,000 people estimated to have Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or COPD, in Ireland, have absolutely no idea that they have the disease?
Most regrettably, there will likely be some reading this article who fall into this category. COPD Support Ireland is seeking to generate awareness of the condition ahead of this World COPD Day, which takes place next Wednesday, November 15. According to the National Healthcare Quality Reporting System, between 2019 and 2021, there were 597 hospital admissions of people from Cavan due to COPD.
COPD is perhaps more commonly known as chronic bronchitis or emphysema.
Joan Johnston is the general manager of COPD Support Ireland. She says: “The sooner COPD is diagnosed and treated, the better the chances of preventing, or delaying, it from developing into severe COPD.
“If you have been experiencing ongoing breathlessness, have a cough that won’t go away, with or without phlegm, and are over the age of 35, then you are urged to seek a spirometry lung check.”
Exercise
Ms Johnston says that exercise is one of the best things that we can do to improve our breathing and symptoms of COPD.
This World COPD Day, Wednesday November 15, from 12 midday to 2pm, COPD Support Ireland will host a “Step Up and Step Out” virtual COPD exercise masterclass.
The online event for people with COPD will feature exercise coaching, physical activity challenges, and presentations from experts with lots of tips on how to stay active.
To mark the day, people with COPD and their supporters are also being encouraged to take part in the COPD Step Challenge and set themselves a challenge of a target number of steps, individually or as part of a group.
To register for the “Step Up and Step Out” exercise masterclass, or to take part in the COPD Step Challenge, visit www.copd.ie
Support
As always, if you have concerns about COPD, call the COPD Adviceline on Freefone 1800-832-146 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm), to make an appointment to speak with a COPD specialist nurse or physiotherapist.