World Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD ) Day is an annual awareness-raising event which took place on November 16 this year.
The day was organised by the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD ) in collaboration with healthcare professionals and COPD patients all around the world. It is observed each year in November to help raise awareness of COPD and help improve COPD patient care.
COPD is a disease of the lungs which is associated with increasing breathlessness and is used to describe a number of conditions including emphysema and chronic bronchitis. It affects millions of people worldwide and causes approximately three million deaths annually.
This year’s theme for World COPD Day was ‘Breathe in the Knowledge’. COPD is estimated to affect thousands of people across Ireland.
In conjunction with World COPD Day, the respiratory team from the Regional Hospital Mullingar are running a free COPD screening and information event in the Sheraton Hotel Athlone on November 24 from 10am to 3pm.
People worried that they may be at risk of COPD, particularly those more than 35 years of age, and who have persistent breathlessness, coughing and chest infections, or who have a family history of the disease, are urged to avail of a free COPD spirometry breathing test.
People previously diagnosed with COPD are also encouraged to attend and take advantage of inhaler reviews and breathing technique support, as well as nutrition and general health and wellbeing advice.
