With SMILE's first 'Healthy Heart, Healthy Lungs' class starting on October 6th, the team thought we would write a small article about COPD and the benefits exercise could have for patients.
What is COPD?
COPD stands for chronic pulmonary disease, a term used for a number of conditions including bronchitis and emphysema.
COPD leads to damaged airways in the lungs, causing them to become narrower and making it harder for air to get in and out of the lungs. The word 'chronic' means that the problem is long-term.
What causes COPD?
The most common cause of COPD is smoking. Once you give up smoking, you gradually reduce the chances of getting COPD and you slow down it's progress if you already have it.
How is COPD diagnosed?
Cough, phlegm and shortness of breath can be symptoms of COPD. Some people may only notice their symptoms in winter, or they might put them down to bronchitis or a 'smoker's cough'. This means that sufferers might not seek help at an early stage of the disease. The sooner people seek treatment the better.
How do people feel?
The symptoms of COPD vary depending on how bad it is, and how people have adapted to their problems. In mild cases, symptoms like a cough, phlegm or shortness of breath may only be present during the colder weather or after a cold. In more server cases, you may be short of breath every day. With more severe COPD, because of breathlessness, normal activities can become more difficult.
COPD can lead to feelings of anxiety because of breathlessness. People with COPD may reduce their activity level to avoid becoming breathless. But by reducing activity levels you become less fit and therefore get breathless even sooner when you try to do any activity. People with COPD may adapt their lifestyle to reduce breathlessness - but keeping as fit as possible is extremely important.
SMILE Lifestyle's 'Healthy Heart, Healthy Lungs' class is a gentle exercise circuit designed by a fully qualified instructor to help patients start exercising and increase their activity levels. It's a fun-filled class in an extremely social environment. Our first class is at the Temple Centre, Nuthall, Nottingham' 5pm, October 6.
You can read more about COPD at www.lunguk.org
Also visit www.smilelifestyle.co.uk for information on how the team can help you improve your fitness.
Have a great week,
The SMILE team
Monday 26 September 2011
Friday 9 September 2011
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