Rotherham people are being invited to test how well their lungs function at an open day to celebrate World COPD Day.
BreathingSpace in Rotherham - the UK’s first specialist centre for patients with chronic lung conditions – is hosting a themed event entitled ‘2010 – the year of the lung’, where people can drop in to have their lung health measured.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) includes conditions such as emphysema, chronic bronchitis and chronic asthma and symptoms progressively restrict a person’s ability to breathe. Smokers, ex-smokers, former miners and heavy industry workers are specifically at risk of developing the disease. Almost 6000 people in Rotherham have already been diagnosed with COPD and it is estimated that there could be thousands more yet to be diagnosed.
The earlier COPD is detected, the more effective treatment can be. However, the early stages of COPD often go unrecognised and many COPD patients do not receive a diagnosis until their disease is relatively advanced.
This year’s World COPD Day sends a two-fold message:
- Breathlessness is a signal that you should see your GP to discuss and possibly have a breathing test.
- Effective treatments are available for people who have been diagnosed with COPD, enabling them to still lead active lives.
Experts will be on hand to advise on a range of issues including living with COPD and activities and exercise that can help, stopping smoking, nebulisers and oxygen. They will also be carrying out lung function and walking tests, offering tours of the purpose built building and giving lectures on the causes and treatments of COPD.
Gail South, Respiratory Nurse Consultant at BreathingSpace, said: “This is the fourth World COPD Day event to be held here at BreathingSpace and it is really important that we continue to raise awareness of lung conditions such as COPD to the people of Rotherham.
“Since we opened three years ago, over 2,600 patients have already benefitted from the support we provide at BreathingSpace, including people whose quality of life before receiving treatment was quite poor. We know that there are potentially thousands more people in Rotherham who have a lung condition and don’t realise it, and, more importantly, don’t realise that specialist treatment and support is available.”
Anyone with concerns about their lung health can call into the open day and find out more about help and support available in Rotherham. Spirometry – a simple test to measure breathing – can be carried out on the day.
For more information about the open day please contact BreathingSpace Education Advisor Julie Catchpole 01709 421700 or email.
Last reviewed: 10/11/2010
