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Forest Trees

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary
Disease (COPD)

What is COPD?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the name for a group of lung conditions that cause breathing difficulties.

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It includes:

  • emphysema – damage to the air sacs in the lungs

  • chronic bronchitis – long-term inflammation of the airways

 

COPD is a common condition that mainly affects middle-aged or older adults who smoke.  Many people do not realise they have it.

 

The breathing problems tend to get gradually worse over time and can limit your normal

activities, although treatment can help keep the condition under control.

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Symptoms of COPD

The main symptoms of COPD are:

  • increasing breathlessness, particularly when you're active

  • a persistent chesty cough with phlegm – some people may dismiss this as just a "smoker's cough"

  • frequent chest infections

  • persistent wheezing

 

Without treatment, the symptoms usually get progressively worse. There may also be periods when they get suddenly worse, known as a flare-up or exacerbation.

 

Find out more about the symptoms of COPD.

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When to get medical advice

See a GP if you have persistent symptoms of COPD, particularly if you're over 35 and smoke or used to smoke.

 

Do not ignore the symptoms. If they're caused by COPD, it's best to start treatment as soon as possible, before your lungs become significantly damaged.

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The GP will ask about your symptoms and whether you smoke or have smoked in the past. They can organise a breathing test to help diagnose COPD and rule out other lung conditions, such as asthma.

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Find out more about how COPD is diagnosed.

Causes of COPD

COPD happens when the lungs become inflamed, damaged and narrowed. The main cause is smoking, although the condition can sometimes affect people who have never smoked.

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The likelihood of developing COPD increases the more you smoke and the longer you've smoked.

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Some cases of COPD are caused by long-term exposure to harmful fumes or dust. Others are the result of a rare genetic problem which means the lungs are more vulnerable to damage.

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Find out more about the causes of COPD.

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Regardless of how long you have smoked for, quitting smoking will greatly improve your health. The benefits of stopping smoking can be experienced almost immediately. Follow this link to see how long it takes for the changes to take effect.

Video: What is COPD
A simple animation explaining what COPD is, how it is caused, the main symptoms and treatments, and the lifestyle changes that can make a big difference. We hope this video will be useful to you and those around you.

Treatments for COPD

The damage to the lungs caused by COPD is permanent, but treatment can help slow down the progression of the condition.

Treatments include:

  • stopping smoking – if you have COPD and you smoke, this is the most important thing you can do

  • inhalers and medicines – to help make breathing easier

  • pulmonary rehabilitation – a specialised programme of exercise and education

  • surgery or a lung transplant – although this is only an option for a very small number of people

 

Find out more about how COPD is treated and living with COPD.

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Outlook for COPD

The outlook for COPD varies from person to person. The condition cannot be cured or reversed, but for many people, treatment can help keep it under control so it does not severely limit their daily activities.

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But in some people, COPD may continue to get worse despite treatment, eventually having a significant impact on their quality of life and leading to life-threatening problems.

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Social care and support guide

If you:

  • need help with day-to-day living because of illness or disability

  • care for someone regularly because they're ill, elderly or disabled – including family members

 

The guide to care and support explains your options and where you can get support.

Preventing COPD

COPD is largely a preventable condition. You can significantly reduce your chances of developing it if you avoid smoking.

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If you already smoke, stopping can help prevent further damage to your lungs before it starts to cause troublesome symptoms.
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​Reference: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease-copd/​

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Hythe Hospital and Hythe Library are your local
stop smoking locations
 

Stop smoking clinics are running on Wednesday mornings 10am - 1pm at Hythe Library

and Wednesday evenings 6.00pm – 8pm at Hythe Hospital.

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Eligibility

Individuals are eligible for this service if they meet the following criteria:

  • Live, work, study or are registered with a GP in Hampshire.

  • 12 years and over.

  • Currently use tobacco products (e.g. cigarettes/shisha) or nicotine products, e.g. vapes.

 

Patients can sign-up via this link to:
 

  • Complete a booking form.

  • Book a triage appt by following the link you will get.

  • You'll be allocated a time slot for a call from the Smokefree team.

  • You'll get booked into a local clinic that suits you.

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Call 0800 772 3649 or Email – hello@smokefreehampshire.co.uk

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This is a FREE service to patients - funded by Hampshire Country Council and provided by Thrive Tribe.

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Helping children and young people to quit smoking and vaping

Today is a good day to quit. Ditch smoking and vaping with our programme designed specifically for people under 18.

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  • Regular in-person or remote (via phone or video call) sessions with a fully trained, friendly mentor.

  • Tools and resources to support wellbeing and make the quit process quick and effective.  

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