THE respiratory team at Letterkenny Universtiy Hospital will host a Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patient forum this week.
The event will take place in Mount Errigal Hotel on Thursday, with registration at 10am.
Lunch will be provided and the event will close at 3pm.
COPD is a common treatable lung condition. People with COPD often experience difficulty in breathing, a persistent cough with phlegm and frequent chest infections.
There are 380,000 people with COPD in Ireland with approximately 5,500 Donegal people living with the condition
The symptoms will usually get worse over time and make daily activities difficult to do. However, treatment can help slow the progression.
There are actions you can take to manage your COPD that will give you the best quality of life.
COPD happens when the airways become inflamed, damaged and narrowed. Tobacco smoking is the main cause of COPD and the chances of developing COPD increase the more you smoke and the longer you have smoked. The condition can sometimes affect people who have never smoked.
Dr Olga Milkulich, Respiratory Consultant at LUH, encouraged anyone living with the disease and those who feel they may have COPD to attend the upcoming information day.
“The outlook for COPD varies from person to person. The condition cannot be cured or reversed. For many people, treatment can help keep it under control. This means that COPD may not limit your daily activities.”
Alana Kiernan COPD Outreach Nurse Specialist at LUH added: “This information day is an opportunity for those living with COPD and their families to meet with specialists and have their questions answered.”
At the forum there will be an opportunity to meet with all the respiratory team including Respiratory Consultants, Respiratory CNS’s,
Respiratory ANP’s and Respiratory Physiotherapists, respiratory equipment suppliers and various voluntary organisations. There will be a series of talks by the respiratory team on the day, and an opportunity to have questions answered.
Admission to the event is free and is open to COPD patients, their families, friends or anyone wanting more information on the condition. All attendees are welcome to bring one family member or friend.
Should you have any questions regarding the day, please contact 0867928600.
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