COPD - Know the symptoms

Do you suffer from a persistent cough? Ever felt breathless walking up a flight of stairs? Well if you have, it might be time to find out why, with recent research showing an estimated 3.7million people in the UK have a serious lung condition called Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, though with only 900,000 diagnosed cases that means 2.8 million people have the condition without realising it.

While coughs and breathlessness can be minor and signs of other less serious conditions, they are two of the main symptoms of COPD – an umbrella term for chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

Many people have still not heard of COPD, but it is the UK’s 5th biggest killer, contributing to more deaths in women than breast cancer and more deaths in men than prostate cancer. However, if diagnosed early it can be easily treated and managed.

To find out if you are at risk and what you need to do if you are, watch this Web TV show where Dame Helena Shovelton Chief Executive of the British Lung Foundation will be explaining COPD and how it affects people living with the condition. Our presenter will also be having a quick and simple lung test while on air to show you firsthand what is involved.

The show will also take to the streets to test members of the public and talk to a British Lung Foundation supporter who is living with COPD about their experiences living with the condition.

Dame Helena Shovelton will be live online at:
studiotalk.tv/show/are_you_at_risk_of_a_serious_lung_condition

When: Wednesday 17th November at 3pm

For more information visit: lunguk.org