Public Health Campaigns

COPD stands for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease - it is a general name used to describe certain conditions where people have difficulty breathing because of long-term damage to the lungs.

If you are breathless when exercising or moving around, have had a cough for a long time (with or without phlegm), if you wheeze, feel chesty or have bronchitis, then it may be you have COPD. You should go to your doctor and get checked out. You should be offered an assessment of how well you breathe using a machine called a spirometer.

Smoking is a major cause of COPD. If you are still smoking then the single most important way in which you can help yourself feel better is to stop. If you haven't been able to stop yet then you should be offered help by your doctor or nurse.

For advice phone about COPD ring 08458505020 or visit www.lung.uk.org

Smokers wishing to stop call the QUIT helpline. 0800 002200