World COPD Day: when breathlessness is worth a check

World COPD Day is on Wednesday 18 November. It is a good reminder that getting short of breath more easily, or a cough that won't go away, is worth talking about with a GP.

What is COPD?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a group of long-term lung conditions that includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis. It causes shortness of breath and a cough that slowly get worse over time.

In 2022 about 496,000 Australians aged 45 and over were estimated to be living with COPD. That is 4.8% of people in that age group. In the early stages there may be no symptoms at all.

Signs worth raising

• getting short of breath with less effort than before

• a cough that keeps going

• bringing up a lot of phlegm (mucus)

• feeling tired

• chest infections that come more often and take longer to clear

Who is at higher risk?

Smoking is the most common cause. About 1 in 4 or 5 people who smoke will develop COPD. You are still at risk if you smoked in the past, even if you quit long ago.

Other risks include passive smoking, long-term exposure to dust, fumes or pollution, asthma and frequent lung infections in childhood. Work in construction, mining, farming, manufacturing or firefighting can add to the risk.

Healthdirect suggests getting your lungs checked if you are over 35 and have ever smoked. The same applies if you have been exposed to fumes or dust at work.

How COPD is diagnosed

Diagnosis starts with questions about your symptoms, any smoking history and the work you have done. The main test is spirometry. You blow hard into a tube, take an inhaler medicine, then blow into the tube again. It measures how much air you can breathe out and how fast.

The global group behind World COPD Day says better diagnosis and starting treatment earlier can mean fewer symptoms and slower progression.

Living well with COPD

There is no cure, but treatment can help you feel better and slow the condition down. Quitting smoking is the single most important step. Quitline is on 13 78 48.

Inhaled medicines help open the airways. A pulmonary rehabilitation program combines exercise and education to help you live with COPD more easily.

Healthdirect also recommends a yearly flu vaccine and a pneumococcal vaccine. Ask how many pneumococcal doses are right for you.

If you have COPD and your breathing or cough is suddenly much worse than usual, see a doctor straight away. If you or someone else is having trouble breathing, call triple zero (000).

Talk to us

If you have been getting short of breath more easily, or a cough has hung around, book a check-up and ask about your lungs.

Source: healthdirect, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), healthdirect.gov.au/copd

Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD), World COPD Day, goldcopd.org/world-copd-day

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), aihw.gov.au