What does COPD stand for?
Chronic = it’s a long-term condition and does not go away
Obstructive = your airways are narrowed, so it’s harder to breathe out quickly and air gets trapped in your chest
Pulmonary = it affects your lungs
Disease = it’s a medical condition
You are most likely to develop COPD if you’re over 35 and are, or have been, a smoker or had chest problems as a child.
Life with COPD can be difficult. It’s a progressive condition, which means there is currently no cure and everyday tasks can become a challenge.
When you have a long-term condition like COPD, you might sometimes feel you don’t have control over your health, your life and what happens to you. Self-managing your condition – with support from others – gives you control. It helps to know all about your condition, your symptoms, your medication and how to cope with flare-ups. It also makes your day-to-day life easier.
Check out our training pages for details of our Breathing Better workshops which will be launched soon.
