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COPD in Australia

What is COPD?

The term Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) covers those long term lung conditions which are characterised by shortness of breath, such as chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Whilst each condition can occur on its own, many people have a mixture of the two problems. COPD usually occurs in people who have smoked or continue to smoke cigarettes. Exposure to irritants like dust and fumes can also increase the risk of developing COPD1.

A very small proportion of emphysema cases are caused by an inherited problem called Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency.

Prevalence of COPD in Australia: A hidden disease

In Australia, estimates indicate that almost 13% or one in seven Australians 40 or over are affected by COPD2. Research also shows that at least half of those with moderate to severe COPD (a point at which 50% of their lung capacity is lost) do not know they have COPD and are therefore not taking the important steps critical to slowing down disease progression3. They could mistakenly be receiving treatment for asthma (symptoms for COPD and asthma are similar) or they could just think their symptoms, such as breathlessness, are a natural sign of ageing.

Living better with COPD

Although there is no cure for COPD, symptoms can be controlled to improve your quality of life and keep you out of hospital. The lung and airway damage cannot be repaired, but all of the symptoms of COPD can be reduced if you take action. Your quality of life can be improved and the length of your life can be extended4.

You can live well with COPD. It’s up to you to take control.
The following information can help you understand COPD and important steps to take to help you live better with COPD.

Find out more about COPD 

 

 

 

 

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References

  1. David K McKenzie, Michael Abramson, Alan J Crockett, Nicholas Glasgow, Sue Jenkins, Christine McDonald, Richard Wood-Baker, Peter A Frith. The COPD-X Plan: Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for the management of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 2007. The Australian Lung Foundation.
  2. Toelle B, Xuan W, Bird T, Abramson M, Burton D, Hunter M, Johns D, Maguire G, Wood-Baker R, Marks G. COPD in the Australian burden of lung disease (BOLD) study. Respirology 2011;16 (Suppl 1):12
  3. Buist AS, McBurnie MA, Vollmer WM et al. International variation in the prevalence of COPD (The BOLD Study): a population-based prevalence study. The Lancet. 2007;370(9589):741-50
  4. David K McKenzie, Michael Abramson, Alan J Crockett, Nicholas Glasgow, Sue Jenkins, Christine McDonald, Richard Wood-Baker, Peter A Frith. The COPD-X Plan: Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for the management of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 2007. The Australian Lung Foundation.

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