World COPD Day 2011

 A simple, quick and accurate test to measure lung health will be available free at a number of hospitals throughout the country to mark World COPD Day.

It is estimated that 440,000 people in Ireland suffer from COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) - a general term for a number of chronic lung disorders including bronchitis, emphysema, and chronic airway disease.

Irish research published today by the Irish Thoracic Society shows that exercise, as part of a programme of care, can ease symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheeze, tiredness, depression and anxiety.

To mark World COPD Day 2011 the HSE, the Irish Thoracic Society, the Irish Association of Respiratory Scientists and the Respiratory Nurses Association of Ireland are co-ordinating a nationwide awareness campaign to raise awareness of COPD and promote early diagnosis.

Once detected COPD can be managed and treated, slowing down the rate of deterioration of the lung and greatly increasing quality of life to enable every-day activities.

According to Prof Tim McDonnell, National Clinical Lead for the COPD Programme
“One of the greatest challenges for people with COPD is not knowing they have it until it’s at an advanced stage. I would urge any smoker or former smoker aged over 40 who has difficulty breathing to get a lung test. When properly diagnosed and treated, patients with COPD can look forward to a marked improvement in their quality of life – with a decline in symptoms such as breathlessness and less frequent ‘flare-ups.”

Dr Edward McKone, President of the Irish Thoracic Society commented that although COPD is one of Ireland’s most common medical conditions, it often goes undiagnosed. Despite the high prevalence of COPD in Ireland there is low awareness of the condition and campaigns such as World COPD Day are vital in addressing this. Symptoms such as breathlessness, cough and wheeze can significantly impair a person’s quality of life and ability to do the most basic activities and should not be ignored, he added.

Free spirometry (lung testing) and information on COPD, smoking cessation and lung health will be available as follows:

Hospital Date and Time of Awareness Day activities
Mount Errigal Hotel, Letterkenny for LetterkennyGeneral Hospital Tuesday 15th November at 8pm
Sligo General Hospital Wednesday 16th November - 10.00 - 16.00
Naas General Hospital Wednesday 16th November - 11.00 - 13.00, 14.15 - 16.00
Peamount Hospital – Out Patient Dept Wednesday 16th November – 08.00 13.00
Wexford General Hospital Wednesday 16th November - 09.00 - 10.00, 11.00 - 12.30, 14.00 - 15.30
Mid Western Regional Hospital Limerick Wednesday 16th November - 09.00 - 14.00
Mayo General Hospital Wednesday 16th November 10.00 – 15.00
Cork University Hospital Wednesday 16th November – 14.00 – 17.00
Mercy University Hospital Cork, The Glass Room, 1st Floor Wednesday 16th November – 9.00 – 13.00
Midlands Regional Hospital Mullingar Wednesday 16th November - 09.00 – 14.00
St Vincent’s University Hospital Thursday 17th November - 10.00 - 16.00

Information on COPD is available at http://www.livingwithcopd.ie and http://www.hse.ie