The Milton Keynes Hospital Respiratory Team is playing their part in marking World COPD Day on Wednesday 18 November, by raising awareness of the disease and its symptoms and hosting an information and public health promotion stand at the Trust’s main reception, from 10am – 4pm.
Visitors to the stand at the main reception, can undertake a blowing test, known as spirometry, which measures the amount of breath that can be inhaled and exhaled. It is a simple and easy test which can be used to measure lung function. The spirometry test is an important tool for assessing conditions such as asthma and COPD.
COPD stands for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, which affects people’s ability to breathe properly. It is a term used to describe a number of long-term lung conditions such as chronic bronchitis and emphysema that cause breathing difficulties. It is a long-term condition that tends to get progressively worse.
The theme of this year's event is "Breathless not Helpless!", which communicates the positive message that effective treatments are available to help people who have been diagnosed with COPD feel better and live more active lives.
World COPD Day is an annual global event that aims to raise awareness of COPD, the world’s 5th leading killer, which kills more woman than breast cancer and more men than prostate cancer. An estimated three million people in the UK have the condition, though most are unaware of it, or that help is available. It is a long-term condition that causes the 2nd highest amount of emergency hospital admissions in the UK and is estimated to cost the NHS in England £500 million a year.
COPD is typically greatly under-diagnosed, with recent studies indicating that 25% to 50% of people with clinically significant COPD are unaware that they have the disease. However, this simple spirometry test, can determine whether or not a person has COPD - even before they develop troublesome symptoms.
Kimberley Jenkins, Respiratory Physiologist at Milton Keynes Hospital, said: “People who smoke and have a cough often refer to it as a “smokers cough”, and accept it as a symptom of their smoking habit. If you are a smoker and you have problems, we actively encourage you to come to the COPD day and address any respiratory problems you may have”.
Mark Baverstock, Advanced Nurse Practitioner in Respiratory Medicine, said: “On the 18 November visitors can learn about smoking cessation, get nutritional advice, test their lungs and have face-to-face discussions with respiratory specialists.”
“Patients and members of the public are invited to come along for information and advice.”
“For people who have not been diagnosed with COPD, breathlessness is a signal that they should see their doctor and ask about a simple breathing test to check their lung function. All local people have the chance to have a spirometry test on World COPD Day at the Trust’s main reception”
“COPD is a chronic condition which is often poorly understood by the public, but if people visit their GP they can get advice and medication to combat it. If COPD is found early, there are steps you can take to prevent further lung damage and make you feel better.”
For further information please contact: Jenny Murray, Communications Manager, Milton Keynes Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Tel: 01908 243922, Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
· The stand will be run in conjunction with Breathe Easy, a charitable patient support group.
· Milton Keynes Hospital provides care and an extensive range of treatments for respiratory conditions such as COPD.
· COPD symptoms
COPD progresses gradually, starting with either a “phlegmy” cough or breathlessness. Initially you may only get symptoms in the winter, and they are often disregarded as a "smokers cough", or winter bronchitis. Symptoms can include:
o Chronic cough
o Regular sputum production
o Breathlessness
o Frequent winter ‘bronchitis’
o Wheeze
