Respiratory disease is the poor relation of the big three.

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2 WHO ARE WE and WHAT DO WE DO? Live well with COPD was formed in July 2016 to provide support, advice and guidance for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) to those in the Gosport, Fareham and surrounding areas. Our aims and objectives include: Update Group Members on Research Encourage self management to control exacerbations and reduce GP and hospital visits Provide advice, support & Communication within the group Promote pulmonary rehabilitation and exercise maintenance groups Promoting Education; Health, Saving lives within the group and the wider arena Raise local awareness and communications in the COPD arena THE PRINCIPLE OBJECTIVE IS TO KEEP THOSE SUFFERING WITH COPD OUT OF HOSPITAL AND LEAD A NEAR NORMAL LIFE

3 But what is COPD?

4 Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) COPD is an umbrella term for a range of diseases that restricts the transfer of oxygen to the bloodstream through reduced lung capacity and inflammation within the respiratory system. The more we try to do, the more breathless we become as the lungs and heart struggle to feed the body of oxygen. Eventually the body will start to close down in order to feed what little oxygen it has to the survival critical organs such as heart and brain, leading to unconsciousness and, potentially, death. DON T TRY THIS AT HOME BUT.. Take a breath and hold your head under water, when the brain says breathe, keep your head under water! Maybe best not to but that s what every moment of every day is like with COPD, except keeping dry of course!

5 So, what else can happen? With breathlessness comes lethargy as the body does not want to move. This leads to muscle waste which adds further to that lethargic feeling and the ability to actually move. As the lungs work much harder to transfer gases and enrich the bloodstream with oxygen they use up more calories often leading to weight loss, to gain weight we eat more fatty and sugar rich foods. More pressure is also put on the heart to deliver fresh oxygenated blood to where it is needed. COPD also suppresses the immune system leading to an increase in infections such as colds and flu and it increases mucus within the respiratory system creating the ideal nest for bad bacteria. So, as well as being an increased risk of infections, COPD can lead on to. Obesity Diabetes Heart Problems Major Organ Damage or Failure AND ITS WORTH NOTING THAT WITH EACH EXACERBATION, COPD WORSENS!

6 CAUSES AND SYMPTOMS COPD has commonly been blamed on smoking, therefore a self inflicted disease and this is widely accepted. Recent research however suggests that it is also caused by other pollutants such as asbestos. Poor air quality is also a major factor and it also worsens those currently suffering. It has also been suggested that COPD may even be genetic.

7 What can be done? Supplemental Oxygen therapy is often provided for severe COPD either in a limited form to use whilst moving around, or in very severe cases given 24/7. Contrary to popular belief the additional oxygen does not help the user to breathe but it ensures the body receives enough oxygen to survive. Self monitoring helps to control exacerbations and gives an early warning of problems so enables the person to start on anti-biotics and steroids to reduce the effects. Exercise and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR) is the primary key to rebuild muscle mass and improve lung function. As muscles mass and lung function improves, exacerbations are reduced leading to fewer visits to GPs and hospital admissions.

8 PULMONARY REHABILITATION A series of specific Cardiovascular Exercises to improve lung function and muscle mass which improves walking distance and enables a near normal life existence and the ability to carry out household chores and even DIY. Referral from GP or Respiratory Nurse (CRIS Team, GP Practice Nurse) Twelve sessions over six weeks with Physiotherapists from Solent NHS Trust followed by weekly maintenance group exercises at the Gosport Leisure Centre "Since starting pulmonary rehab I feel that my fitness and general health have improved. My visits to my GP have reduced and I have only had routine visits to the Respiratory Clinic. I am able to do much more than I used to. I also feel much better in myself. This helped by being with other people who have similar problems"

9 RECENT STUDIES COPD Dec 20:1-6. doi: / [Epub ahead of print] Outcomes of Pulmonary Rehabilitation for COPD in Older Patients: A Comparative Study. Bennett D 1, Bowen B 2, McCarthy P 3, Subramaniam A 2, O'Connor M 3,4, Henry MT 2 Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is established as an effective intervention in optimising function and quality of life in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). data suggest that benefits of PR in COPD are not age dependent. Age should not be a barrier to enrolling patients with COPD in PR programmes. Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis Nov 16;11: ecollection Community-based exercise training for people with chronic respiratory and chronic cardiac disease: a mixed-methods evaluation. McNamara RJ 1, McKeough ZJ 2, Mo LR 2, Dallimore JT 3, Dennis SM 2 The convenience and accessibility of a community venue for rehabilitation contributed to high levels of satisfaction and a positive experience for people with chronic respiratory and chronic cardiac disease and physiotherapists. The Lancet Volume 4, No. 3, p , March 2016

10 .AND FINALLY Pulmonary rehabilitation: the next steps Michael C Steiner, C Michael Roberts Pulmonary rehabilitation is recognised as one of the most effective therapies available for people with chronic obstructive respiratory disease (COPD) and other respiratory disorders. Pulmonary rehabilitation addresses the key clinical problem of exercise limitation caused by breathlessness and fatigue and also provides a supportive environment in which patients can become active and engage in the management of their health problems. The scientific evidence for the benefit of pulmonary rehabilitation is incontestable and its provision is now mandated in all national and international COPD treatment guidelines.

11 CCG OBJECTIVES 1. To provide two weekly Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR) Exercise Maintenance Group Sessions per week. There is no doubt that PR and Maintenance Exercise is the key to improving the quality of life of those with COPD. Individual testimonies confirm that this form of exercise reduces GP visits and hospitalisation. This will not only relieve some of the pressure on GPs and the A and E Departments but will reduce the cost on the NHS overall. 2. Ensure GPs and Surgery Staff are aware of the support available and they advise newly diagnosed patients accordingly. All to often we hear of newly diagnosed patients being told the consequences of COPD, to use the inhalers and learn to live with it. This leaves them frightened and depressed for the future. With proper support and awareness of PR and Exercise they are able to live a very fulfilling life.

12 CONTACT Web: LWCOPD.co.uk Mob and Text: Self-monitoring Self-management Self-reliance Independence Enablement Ownership Responsibility We are not strictly in the business of saving lives but improving the quality of life, maybe extending life expectancy and reducing incidents of hospitalisation and GP visits by reducing flare ups of COPD or, at the very least, the severity, by empowering sufferers with the confidence to self manage the disease.

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