Staff at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are raising awareness of COPD as part of an internationally promoted campaign.
Today is World COPD Day; an annual campaign to raise awareness of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). It is a common lung condition that can make it difficult to breathe due to your airways being narrowed. Suffering from COPD means that everyday tasks can become challenging.
In order to raise awareness for this campaign, staff at both Royal Preston Hospital and Chorley District Hospital have been putting up information boards to speak with people about the condition and offer any advice or support required. The team have also been wearing yellow clothing for COPD awareness.
Nazra Hussain, Respiratory Specialist Nurse at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals, said: “COPD is a common condition which can affect your breathing, and make it difficult to conduct daily activities. COPD develops slowly and most people aren’t even aware that they have it until later in life. The main cause of COPD is smoking but it can sometimes affect people who have never smoked.”
“It is really important for us, especially as a respiratory ward, to raise awareness of this condition and offer advice and support to patients who may be affected by COPD. World COPD Day is a great opportunity for people to come together and speak about their experiences and provide support to people suffering from COPD.”