Live better with COPD
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What is COPD?
What is COPD?
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is the name for a group of lung conditions that make it hard for you to breathe, including:
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is the name for a group of lung conditions that make it hard for you to breathe, including:
- Emphysema
- Chronic bronchitis
- Chronic asthma
- Emphysema
- Chronic bronchitis
- Chronic asthma
These conditions cause narrowing of the airways (bronchi or bronchial tubes), making it difficult to breathe. Although there is no cure, with early diagnosis and the right treatment there are many things you can do to manage your condition. People can live for many years with COPD and still enjoy a good quality of life.
How common is COPD?
How common is COPD?
COPD is a common lung condition affecting both men and women.
Around 1 in 13 Australians aged 40 years and over have some form of COPD. However around half of these people living with COPD symptoms do not know they have the condition.
Indigenous Australians are 2.5 times more likely to have COPD than non-Indigenous Australians.
What can I expect to experience?
What can I expect to experience?
It’s important to know that each person experiences COPD differently. In the early stages of the condition, some people may not experience much impact on their life or emotions.
Others feel they need more help to be independent, particularly during an exacerbation (flare-up of symptoms) or as their disease progresses.
It is also common to experience changes in your mood such as depression or anxiety, but it is important to remember that there are support services you can access, such as pulmonary rehabilitation and support groups, which can help you learn about your condition, and improve your wellbeing.
