COPD Clinic

In Chronic Obstructive Airways Disease (COPD) the airways are damaged, usually through being exposed to constant irritation. Irritation can be caused by dust encountered in some occupations, where there is poor air quality such as smog, or with chronic asthma. However the most common reason for airways being irritated and damaged is through smoking.

COPD is characterised by breathlessness, which is progressive. The other three common symptoms are cough, wheeze and sputum production. The best way to reduce this rate of progression is to stop smoking. The Practice offers support to achieve this as do the NHS through classes in the local area.

Our Practice’s specialist COPD Nurse offers a COPD management review annually around your birthday month.

Your COPD review will last around 30 minutes, so please remember to tell the receptionist the type of review you wish to book when you phone to make your appointment. There is no specific day for this, which allows patients to make their appointment for a time they find convenient.

Some treatments are similar to those used for asthma but there are also some specific to COPD. The nurse would wish to hear how effective you feel your treatments are and she will check your inhaler technique, so do bring along all the inhalers and spacers you are currently using to the review.

At the appointment you will be assessed for your level of breathlessness on a scale of 1 to 5, and by placing a painless attachment to your fingertip, an almost instant reading of your oxygen level can be displayed. The nurse will ask you how easily you feel you can carry out everyday activities. Your weight is noted, as both being over or underweight means that breathing can require you to use up a lot of energy, and ideas can be given to help support you in achieving either weight loss or gain. Exercise is also positively encouraged as it helps to improve your breathing and strengthen muscles, which will make everyday activities less tiring.

Through review the Practice Nurse will support you in optimising your quality of life at every stage of the disease.