Over 3,000 people with COPD in Carlow remain undiagnosed, it has been claimed
COPD is a disease that makes it hard to empty air out of your lungs
COPD Support Ireland is calling on over 3,000 people in Carlow living with undiagnosed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to see a doctor and get an official diagnosis.
A total 3,131 of the 6,263 people with COPD in Carlow remain undiagnosed, it has been claimed.
The free COPD and Asthma Adviceline can play a key role in helping a person who has recently had a COPD or asthma diagnosis – people phone 1800 832 146 to speak to a respiratory nurse about a number of topics on managing and improving their condition.
COPD Support Ireland is a charity set up to support all those living with the disease.
COPD makes it hard to empty air out of your lungs. This is because the airways get smaller leading to airflow obstruction. This can result in shortness of breath or tiredness because you are working harder to breathe.
People can experience COPD in different ways depending on which symptoms trouble them most and how severe they are. COPD is a progressive illness meaning it has several stages of severity.
It tends to creep up on people slowly. This means it can often be several years before symptoms reach a level that will make the sufferer go to the GP.
Symptoms such as coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath are often attributed to getting older.