BBC News Online: Health

Lung disease 'causing severe disability'

A survey by the British Lung Foundation (BLF) has found that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is having a devastating impact on the lives of many of the 500,000 plus sufferers in the UK.

COPD is an umbrella term for lung conditions such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

Last year it was responsible for more than 27,000 deaths in England and Wales alone.

The survey found that many everyday tasks are very difficult for COPD sufferers.

• two-thirds of respondents found it hard to walk outside their home
• three quarters had difficulty gardening
• more than half found shopping, washing, making the bed and socialising a major challenge

Many respondents were concerned that their condition was not taken seriously enough and that they lacked support, particularly from social services.

Biggest killer

Dr Mike Morgan, Chairman of the BLF's Breathe Easy Club, said: "COPD is one of the UK's biggest killers.

"What our survey shows is how it severely affects quality of life - often striking those in their prime and placing a heavy burden on society, industry and health services."

Dr Morgan called for more widespread recognition and understanding of COPD among doctors and the general public - particularly the impact it has on everyday life.

COPD patient Mike Gale, secretary of the Breathe Easy group in Croydon, lost his job after developing the disease.

He said: "COPD has had a dramatic effect on my life.

"Simple things like putting my socks on prove incredibly difficult and I can't play football with my children."

COPD is caused by many factors, but predominantly smoking.

Many people do not realise they have the condition, mistakenly believing that breathlessness is just a factor of getting older.

Many believe they are merely suffering from 'smoker's cough' and it is not important enough to bother their doctor.

Early diagnosis and successful management of the condition can delay the onset of more severe symptoms.

But if the condition is ignored patients can end up being hospitalised.

To assist patients with COPD, the British Lung Foundation has produced a new lifestyle booklet 'Living with COPD', which will be available from October.

For a copy send a sae to BLF, 78 Hatton Garden, London EC1N 8LD.