Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a lung condition most common in smokers. It includes:
- chronic bronchitis, and
- emphysema
Common symptoms include cough, sputum production and shortness of breath.
COPD affects 200,000 New Zealanders and 15% of adults over 45 years. It has a large impact on people’s quality of life and longevity. 4th most common cause of death after cancer, heart disease, and stroke in NZ.
Key Points:
- Most people with COPD have smoked for a number or years or are smokers
- The single most important thing you can do is QUIT!
- There is a lot you can do to help yourself, or loved one
- Have a flu vaccination every year
- To stay well and out of hospital, see your doctor/nurse regularly
- Find out what your early warning signs
- Have a written action plan and know what you can do to keep as well as possible
Overview
This section will help you find out about COPD and includes some factsheets and pamphlets.
 | What is COPD? | Asthma & Respiratory Foundation of NZ | |
| Easy to Read | |||
| What is COPD? | The Australian Lung Foundation | |
| COPD in New Zealand | Asthma & Respiratory Foundation of NZ | |
 | COPD Video | NHS Choices | |
| 2min 46sec | |||
| COPD: What will happen to me? | BMJ BestTreatments | |
| COPD Diagnosis & Treatment | British Lung Foundation | |
| Living with COPD | British Lung Foundation | |
| COPD: What is it? | BMJ BestTreatments | |
| Could it be COPD? | GOLD - Global Obstructive Lung Disease Initiative | |
| Five simple questions Easy to read | |||
| COPD: What are the symptoms? | BMJ BestTreatments | |
| COPD: How is it diagnosed? | BMJ BestTreatments | |
| What is Spirometry? | Asthma & Respiratory Foundation of NZ | |
| Asthma vs. COPD Calculator | The University of Adelaide, Australia | |
 | Patient Guide: What You Can Do About a Lung Disease Called COPD? | GOLD - Global Obstructive Lung Disease Initiative | 20 Pages |
| Easy to Read | |||
| COPD Action Plan | The Australian & NZ COPD Reference Site | 2 Pages |
| Understand Your Medicines | Asthma & Respiratory Foundation of NZ | |
| Be Smokefree Now | Asthma & Respiratory Foundation of NZ | |
 | Energy Savers for People with COPD | Asthma & Respiratory Foundation of NZ | 2 Pages |
| Communicate With Your Doctor | Asthma & Respiratory Foundation of NZ | 2 Pages |
| Keep Physically Active | Asthma & Respiratory Foundation of NZ | |
| Home Exercises for People with COPD | Asthma & Respiratory Foundation of NZ | 2 Pages |
| Learn Breathing Control | Asthma & Respiratory Foundation of NZ | |
| Learn About Stress | Asthma & Respiratory Foundation of NZ | |
| COPD: What treatments work? | Best Treatments | |
| Treating COPD |  | |
| COPD Diagnosis & Treatment | British Lung Foundation | |
| Inhalers for COPD | Patient UK | |
| Spacers vs. Nebulisers | Asthma & Respiratory Foundation of NZ | 1 Page |
| Using a Spacer | Asthma & Respiratory Foundation of NZ | 2 Pages |
| Safety of Inhaled Corticosteroids | Asthma & Respiratory Foundation of NZ | 2 Pages |
| Steroid Tablets | Asthma & Respiratory Foundation of NZ | 2 Pages |
| Pulmonary Rehabilitation | The Australian Lung Foundation | |
| Oxygen Therapy | The Australian Lung Foundation | |
| The Australian & New Zealand Guidelines for the Management of COPD 2009 | The Australian & NZ COPD Reference Site | 71 Pages |
| COPD Diagnosis & Management Checklist | The Australian & NZ COPD Reference Site | 2 Pages |
| COPD in Primary Care: Reminder & Update |  | 5 Pages |
| COPD Practice Nurses Guide | | 15 Pages |
| COPD Self Management Plan | Asthma & Respiratory Foundation of NZ | 2 Pages |
| COPD Action Plan | The Australian & NZ COPD Reference Site | 2 Pages |
| Asthma vs. COPD Calculator | The University of Adelaide, Australia | |
| Instructions for Inhaler & Spacer Use | GOLD - Global Obstructive Lung Disease Initiative | |
| Pulmonary Rehabilitation Toolkit | The Australian Lung Foundation | |
| The Smoking Cessation Handbook | | |
Support
There are some excellent support groups around the country. Make new friends and learn tips for keeping well.
| Support for You | Asthma & Respiratory Foundation of NZ | |
| Nationwide information sources and organisations | |||
| Cordially Yours Newsletter | Asthma & Respiratory Foundation of NZ | |
| Newsflash for people with COPD | |||
| Carers Matter | The Australian Lung Foundation | |
| What is a Patient Support Group? | The Australian Lung Foundation | |
| COPD Personal Story | NHS Choices | |
| 3min 4sec | |||
| Psychological Consequences of Respiratory Diseases | The Australian Lung Foundation | |
| The Need for COPD Patient Support Groups | The Australian Lung Foundation | |
| Running a COPD Support Group Pamphlet | Asthma & Respiratory Foundation of NZ | 2 Pages |
| COPD Multicultural Fact Sheets | Health Translations Directory - Australia | |
| Multiple Languages | |||
| COPD: Frequently Asked Questions | | |
| Easy to Read | |||
| MedlinePlus for More Information |  | |
| Allergy, Asthma & Respiratory Evidence-based Information | Bandolier | |
| Links - Respiratory-related websites | Asthma & Respiratory Foundation of NZ | |