Asthma and COPD

Asthma and COPD Long Term Condition monitoring is led by Margaret Nelson and Rachel Brierley, our Practice Nurses. These clinics are mainly held on a Wednesday afternoon.
These appointments can also be booked online.

We generally request patients to complete a questionnaire and if required attend for a 30 minute annual review and to assess their inhaler technique.

 

Asthma

Asthma is a common lung condition that causes occasional breathing difficulties.

It affects people of all ages and often starts in childhood, although it can also develop for the first time in adults.

There’s currently no cure, but there are simple treatments that can help keep the symptoms under control so it doesn’t have a big impact on your life.

Links to further information on Asthma please visit the NHS Website and Asthma UK –

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/asthma/

https://www.asthma.org.uk/

Link to Guidance from Chartered Society of Physiotherapy that may provide further assistance and information with your condition.

 

Did you know that by managing your lung condition well you can feel your best and help the environment?

Asthma + Lung UK and NHS England are working in partnership to support you to make changes so you can live better with your lung condition and help the environment at the same time.  Please click on this link for further information.

This information, developed in partnership with clinicians, patients, and partners, is available on the Asthma + Lung UK website, and supports patients to use their inhalers as prescribed, adhere to the right inhaler technique via discussion with their healthcare professional, consider changing to a lower-carbon inhaler, and return used or unwanted inhalers to their community pharmacy for appropriate disposal.

More information is available in this GreenerNHS blog, ‘Delivering high quality, low carbon respiratory care’.

COPD

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

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 don’t 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.

Causes of COPD

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

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

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

Links to further information on COPD please visit the NHS Website and British Lung Foundation –

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease-copd/

https://www.blf.org.uk/

Education about COPD Go to the Sound Doctor in the Self Care and Information section for a link to a course that gives support for self-management.

Please click on the three lines on the left hand side of ‘Appleby Medical Practice’ for further practice related information.