8 minute read
COPD and how to live with it
Health What is the COPD Adviceline?
By Barry Elliot, Senior Physiotherapist, COPD Adviceline
FREEPHONE 1800 83 21 46
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a common, treatable lung condition; there are an estimated 500,000 people living with COPD in Ireland, but only half are formally diagnosed. COPD is an umbrella term for emphysema and chronic bronchitis and is mainly due to exposure to harmful particles or gases that are inhaled, causing abnormalities to the airways and within the lungs. Tobacco smoking is the greatest cause of COPD. This means that the disease could be prevented by never smoking and/or by avoiding long term exposure to harmful fumes, dust or gases in the environment or workplace.
A person living with COPD will have persistent symptoms (for example cough and phlegm) and difficulty in breathing. COPD is a chronic disease so it will never go away but there are actions you can take to manage your COPD that will give you the best possible quality of life.
COPD Support Ireland work with the Asthma Society of Ireland to provide the HSE funded COPD Adviceline; a free call-back service with a respiratory specialist nurse or physiotherapist, designed to provide people living with COPD with self-management skills to improve their COPD symptoms.
WHAT IS SELF MANAGEMENT?
When living with COPD, there is a lot you can do to minimise your symptoms and improve your quality of life. Knowledge of good inhaler technique, exercise, diet, medication, managing flare ups and breathlessness management techniques are all part of a disease management strategy called selfmanagement.
Self-management allows people with COPD to be empowered, providing them with disease specific knowledge and support. As a result, people with COPD can make lifestyle changes that improve many aspects of their life. The COPD Adviceline gives people living with COPD and their carers the knowledge to better understand and manage their day-today COPD symptoms, identify when then they are worsening and, when and how to get the right help and treatment.
HOW CAN THE COPD ADVICELINE HELP?
Often people call with a specific question about how to support themselves or their loved one living with COPD. This is our starting point - addressing the most pressing need. From there, we build the relationship to support and advise across the wide range of COPD self-management strategies that can be helpful in improving life with COPD. The advice delivered is specific to each caller and is always delivered in a supportive, friendly and open way.
Many callers have received a recent diagnosis. They want to discuss the implications of this and what can be done to minimise the impact of COPD on their lives. Others have had COPD for many years and need advice on how best to manage a change in their symptoms. Many people with COPD have not yet been diagnosed - these callers are sometimes becoming aware that their symptoms may mean they have COPD – we support them as they engage with their GP and other healthcare services on this diagnostic journey.
We discuss the signs of flare up / infection, medications usage, and when a face-to-face assessment is required. We also advise on inhaler technique, development of a home exercise programme or airway clearance routine. We provide links to local COPD Support Ireland groups and resources. COPD often impacts on a person’s mental wellness and they may experience anxiety or depression. This can be discussed openly with understanding and support where needed. Callers value this prompt and easy access to a respiratory specialist healthcare professional and the individually tailored support that includes follow-up contact. This is what some recent COPD Adviceline callers have said about our service:
“If anyone is worried anxious or scared it’s good to have a reassuring voice at the end of the phone”
“Regular monthly advice and nurse discussions during COVID were really helpful to me since the pandemic started.”
“It’s good to know that there is a nurse available”
“Support system is amazing”
“I couldn't ask for more, any staff I've dealt with … have been so helpful.”
“Good to know you are there if I need you.” “Best service I have ever used! Found your service was better than my doctor! Couldn’t ask for more.”
The COPD Adviceline is delivered on a freephone number and is available to anybody living with COPD, those caring for somebody with COPD and those who wish to learn more about the disease and explore potential diagnosis.
If you have COPD or care for someone with COPD, you may benefit from talking to our COPD specialist nurse or physiotherapist to learn more about how to live the life you wish
to live, while living with COPD.
Iryna’s story
In just the first two months of the horrific war in Ukraine, nearly twothirds of all Ukrainian children have been forced to flee their homes. That equates to almost one child leaving their home every single second… They have had to leave everything behind; their possessions, their schools, and often, their family members. Fergal helps supply hope for children and families in Ukraine
UNICEF/Ukraine/2022/Moldovan Inside UNICEF’s emergency response to support children of Ukraine In just the first two months of the horrific war in Ukraine, nearly two-thirds of all Ukrainian children have been forced to flee their homes. That equates to almost one child leaving their home every single second… They have had to leave everything behind: Their possessions Iryna left everything behind when she , their schools, and often, their family members. fled Ukraine with her two daughters in March 2022. “I left for my children,” Fergal helps supply hope for children and families in Ukraine Iryna says. “I wouldn’t have gone, if it wasn’t for my daughters.” Arriving at one of the UNICEFsupported Blue Dot Hubs on the Romanian border, all Iryna and her daughters could carry were a colorful school bag (full of books), some food, medicines and a few items of clothing. A place to play and recover After the war started, UNICEF was one of the first organisations to get supplies across the border to support children and families. These trucks deliver critical supplies including medicines and medical equipment; winter clothes for children; and hygiene, education, ECD, and recreational kits. © UNICEF/UN0608249/Moskaliuk © UNICEF/UN0608248/Moskaliuk © UNICEF/UN0607224/Moskaliuk © UNICEF/UN0607241/Moskaliuk UNICEF/Ukraine/2022/Moskaliuk UNICEF/Ukraine/2022/Holerga UNICEF/Ukraine/2022/Holerga
After the war started, UNICEF was one of the first organisations to get supplies across the border to support children and families. UNICEF trucks deliver critical supplies including medicines and medical equipment; winter clothes for children; and hygiene, education, ECD and recreational kits. Together with the life-saving supplies, UNICEF also surged logistics specialists into the country. One of these specialists was Irishman Fergal Crum. Fergal normally works in the world’s largest humanitarian warehouse in UNICEF’s Supply Division in Copenhagen, Denmark. As he arrived in Lviv in the west of Ukraine, he heard his team were expecting to receive seven trucks from Turkey with warm clothes, and another eight from Copenhagen with critical supplies. “In the next week or two it’s going to be mad busy. And that’s a good thing. We’ve got to get the stuff in, receive it... get it dispatched... so that’s the main thing – get it to the people who need it,” he said. A journey into the unknown In total, over five million people, mostly women and children, left their country in just a few short weeks to seek refuge in neighbouring countries, or in countries across the EU, like Ireland. Many travelled on foot in freezing winter conditions with the little they could carry. Women and children crossed the border exhausted from the journey. Many were traumatised by what they had experienced and now find themselves torn away from their homes, husbands, fathers and vulnerable family members who have been unable to travel. Blue Dot Hub – A safe haven for children Keeping children and women safe as they make these perilous and difficult journeys has been one of UNICEF’s highest priorities. When they finally reach the bordering countries, they need practical and psychosocial support, together with access to specialist services. That is why UNICEF, and its partner UNHCR, has set up a series of Blue Dot Hubs together with local authorities and partners. These hubs are designed as a first port of call, offering refugees critical
support and protection. Sited at strategic points along migrant routes, including border entry/exit points in Moldova, Poland, Romania and Belarus, each hub has the capacity to support 3,000 to 5,000 people per day with a range of essential services. The primary concern of UNICEF’s humanitarian staff in these facilities is the health and well-being of children. Many children who have crossed the border display symptoms of severe Together with the life trauma and psychological stress through -saving supplies, UNICEF also surged logistics specialists into the country. One of these specialists was Irishman Fergal Crum. the sudden departure from their homes and communities and having witnessed the violence and destruction of war. For children, Blue Dot Hubs provide a Fergal normally works in the world’s largest humanitarian warehouse in UNICEF’s Supply Division in Copenhagen, Denmark. As he arrived in Lviv in the west of safe, welcoming space to rest, play and Ukraine, he heard his team were expecting to receive seven simply be a child, at a time when their trucks from Turkey with warm clothes, and another eight world has been abruptly turned upside down in fear and panic, and they are from Copenhagen with critical supplies. “In the next week or two it’s going to be mad facing the trauma of leaving family, busy. And that’s a good thing. We’ve got to get the stuff in receive it, and get it dispatched so that’s the main thing – get it to the people who need it, ” he said. friends and all that is familiar.
