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. 

Speaking from Experience

While there is no cure, there are things you can do to breathe easier and improve your quality of life, particularly if it is identified and managed early.  Please click on the link below to view the “Speaking from Experience” DVD which outlines several COPD patients' opinions, experiences and coping tips.

Should you wish to view the complete DVD, loan copies are available from The Australian Lung Foundation.  The duration of the DVD is 64 minutes and features seven people, including one partner, discussing how COPD has impacted the various aspects of their life and how they have managed it.  The following topics are covered:

1. Diagnosis
2. Impact on employment
3. Smoking cessation
4. Pulmonary rehabilitation
5. Management: Staying healthy and active
6. Mental health
7. Medication
8. Vaccinations
9. Challenges
10. Support
11. Words of wisdom

Should you wish to borrow a copy of the DVD for your own use or perhaps to share with an audience, please contact Karen Wright on 07 3251 3637 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Copies of the DVD are now available for sale.  Should you wish to purchase a copy, the DVD is available at the retail price of $77.00 for health professionals or $29.95 for individuals / consumers.  Please contact Karen Wright on 07 3251 3637 or email  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  or go to our Shop to purchase a copy on-line. 

1. Management: Staying Healthy & Active clip

2. Pulmonary Rehabilitation clip

http://realtimehealth.com/ Videos of patient and carer experiences.

What is Chronic Bronchitis?

• Chronic bronchitis is a constant and long-lasting irritation and swelling of the airways.
• The main symptoms of chronic bronchitis are cough and increased secretions from the lungs such as mucus.

What is emphysema?

• Emphysema is a condition in which air gets trapped inside the lungs. This makes it harder to breathe in again.
• The main symptom of emphysema is breathlessness.

Asthma and COPD

Both asthma and COPD are common, and some people have both conditions. However, asthma and COPD:

• have different causes
• affect the body differently
• need different treatments

Your doctor will work out if you have COPD or asthma, or both, by testing your lungs, using a ‘lung function test’, also known as spirometry.

A hidden disease

In Australia, estimates indicate that up to 1 in 5 people over 40 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. 

Take control

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 Sail on with COPD.

Find out more about COPD

• What are the risks of COPD?
• What are the symptoms of COPD?
• How do the lungs work?
• How is COPD diagnosed?
• What is spirometry?
• Living with COPD
• Using your inhaler devices
• Working with your healthcare team

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. 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
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.

Content updated October 22, 2010