Breathless? Persistent Cough? Don't let it go unchecked

Tuesday, 17, Nov 2009 11:55

Never heard of COPD? You're not alone. But 3.7 million Brits are estimated to have Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), most without knowing it. The disease is most common in smokers - whether you're a current smoker or quit years ago and are healthy apart from the odd cold or chesty cough - it doesn't matter.

COPD permanently damages your airways and at least 30,000 people die from it each year in the UK. While there is no cure, treatments are available that can slow down this progressive disease and improve the quality of life of people with the condition.

So if you get out of breath after climbing just a few stairs, or often get a cough, it's important to get your lungs checked for early signs of the condition. And with World COPD Day just around the corner (Wednesday November 18th), the British Lung Foundation is urging people to 'Love their Lungs', and ask their GP to arrange a simple lung function test. For more information on symptoms and what the test involves, watch the video below.

For more information visit www.lunguk.org