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It is estimated that 1.2 million people in the UK suffer from COPD, with hundreds of thousands more believed to be undiagnosed. The high number of undiagnosed cases is understood to be due to confusion over the symptoms of COPD, which are similar to that of respiratory chest infections – namely breathlessness, wheezing and a persistent chesty cough. Because sufferers are not fully informed about the symptoms of COPD, they may remain untreated, assuming what they are experiencing is due to a more common ailment.
To help highlight COPD as a serious chronic condition, the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) is holding World COPD Awareness Day on 21st November which aims to raise awareness and improve care surrounding COPD. You can get involved online by following the hashtag #WorldCOPDDay or use the link below.
What is COPD?
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a blanket term for a group of lung conditions which cause breathing difficulties, such as Emphysema and Bronchitis. COPD is most common in smokers over the age of 40. However, it can also appear in non-smokers and younger people.
The symptoms can flare up in certain conditions, some common triggers include:
- Smoke inhalation
- Exposure to low temperatures
- High humidity
- Polluted air.
An awareness of symptoms and triggers is hugely important to managing COPD as part of everyday life.
Can you treat COPD?
COPD is a chronic condition, which means the sufferer must adjust their lifestyle to the demands of the condition, and the therapy used to treat it. Treatments aim to slow the disease by limiting symptoms using medicines.
In terms of self-care, the most sustainable option is to make healthier lifestyle choices, which have been shown to vastly improve the quality of life of anyone living with a lung condition.
A nutritious diet and consistent exercise regime are excellent ways to manage COPD. By maintaining a healthy body weight you will improve your all-round health, and can improve your overall respiratory function.
Moderate cardiovascular activity a few times a week can help to strengthen the lungs and maintain a healthy weight.
If self-care is not sufficient to manage COPD, medical treatment may be required and Kinetik are here to help.
When medication for lung conditions is required, a fast and efficient application to the target area is essential. Nebulisers are medical devices that provide an excellent form of delivery straight to the lungs.
A Nebuliser can be used to treat many lung conditions, most commonly Cystic Fibrosis and COPD. The Nebuliser dissolves the medication, allowing for a mist to be breathed in directly for the fastest delivery possible.
Kinetik Wellbeing have developed our own nebuliser to ensure quality and efficient delivery of medication when you need it most. The high nebulisation rate and ultra-quiet delivery guarantee a safe intake of your respiratory medication.
Our Nebuliser is lightweight and compact, allowing users to carry it with them for use away from the home if needed.
Minimising the impact of respiratory conditions in your everyday life is our goal.
If you are suffering from COPD or any other lung condition you can find out more about our Respiratory Therapy products by visiting: https://www.kinetikwellbeing.com/respiratory-devices/
Learn more about World COPD Day: https://goldcopd.org/world-copd-day/
Connect with the British Lung Foundation: https://www.blf.org.uk/