COPD - Explained & The Facts…..

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COPD, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, is a condition that makes it harder for patients to breathe. It consists of a group of progressive lung diseases, the most common being Emphysema and Chronic Bronchitis, however, many people with COPD have both of these diseases.

World COPD Day  Wednesday the 20th of November - we all need to highlight the plight of COPD in Ireland.

Medical research shows that the number one cause of COPD is smoking. According to the European Lung Foundation, about 40 - 50% of lifelong smokers will develop COPD. However, it is possible to develop COPD having never smoked. It is also caused by long term exposure to chemical irritants such as chemical fumes, air pollution, and even dust particles. Thes account for about 15 - 20% of COPD cases.
There is no complete cure for COPD, but treatment can help ease symptoms and slow the progression of the disease. Management of the condition includes reducing exposure to risk factors, e.g. stopping smoking and improving exercise ability.

Medical treatment with bronchodilators is used to help prevent exacerbations or flare-ups.  Bronchodilators are medications that are taken via a Nebuliser, which converts the medications from liquid to mist – for sufferers, this can provide a more targeted and effective method of reducing inflammation and increased comfortability during flare-ups.

World COPD Day is Wednesday the 20th of November during which various events scheduled nationwide will aim to increase awareness of the disease, check out copd.ie for more details.

Below are images of our range of Nebulisers and Accessories under the Medicare brand that includes Compressor and Portable machines, click on the images below for more information.