COPD Support Ireland will host a free webinar for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) this Friday, April 7.
The webinar, titled ‘Living Your Best Life with COPD’, aims to offer lots of practical tips on the lifestyle changes people with COPD can make to enhance their quality of life.
It will feature a number of contributions on different aspects of living with COPD, including maintaining mental fitness, making food enjoyable, and rediscovering the benefits of outdoor activity.
Speakers include well-known psychologist Dr Eddie Murphy, award-winning landscape gardener, David Shortall, and chef, author and TV presenter, Adrian Martin.
Attendees will also be signposted to resources in their communities, such as support groups, hospital pulmonary rehabilitation programmes, Living Well self-management support programmes, the COPD & Me exercise programme, and the SingStrong programme for better lung health.
Perhaps more well-known as bronchitis or emphysema, there are an estimated 380,000 people living with COPD in Ireland. Its key symptoms are ongoing breathlessness and a persistent cough, with or without phlegm.
While tobacco is the main cause, other risk factors include exposure to second-hand smoke, inhalation of dusts, chemicals and fumes, living with an existing condition such as chronic asthma, and having a family history of certain lung-related illnesses.
A recent survey undertaken by Behaviour & Attitudes on behalf of COPD Support Ireland found that while seven in ten (68%) people have heard of COPD, almost nine in ten (88%) know little or nothing about it.
One third (35%) were unable to identify any symptoms associated with the condition. For the most part, awareness was higher among older age groups and people from less well-off backgrounds, while women tended to be more informed than men.
The ‘Living Your Best Life with COPD’ webinar takes place on Good Friday from 12 midday to 1.30pm and is completely free of charge.
To register, or for more information on living with COPD, visit www.copd.ie or call the COPD AdviceLine on Freefone 1800 832 146 to make an appointment to speak to a COPD specialist nurse or physiotherapist.
