Addressing Huff & Puff in Our Community
/Yarraly – Midwest Lung and Respiratory Support Group Geraldton, helps raise awareness this World COPD Day with a Walk for Awareness on 17th Nov 11am – 12pm, on the Grassed Area North of the Dome Geraldton. The will also be information displays at Geraldton Regional Hospital Foyer both on the 17th – World Lung Cancer Day and the 18th – World COPD Day. Free Spirometry (lung Testing) will be done at the hospital on 17th November.
To mark World COPD Day (18 November), Lung Foundation Australia is encouraging all Australians over the age of 35 to take breathlessness seriously and ask their health professional for a lung health check.
“Contrary to what people think, breathlessness is not a normal part of ageing. Feeling out of breath is a symptom - a symptom not to be ignored,” said Professor Christine McDonald, Respiratory Physician at Austin Hospital, Melbourne.
“When we exercise it is normal to huff and puff and experience breathlessness. That feeling of being out of breath is temporary and, with rest, our breathing returns to normal. If you are feeling breathless when doing simple activities like walking up a flight of stairs, it’s time to see your health professional because you could have COPD,” she said.
COPD or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is a progressive long term disease of the lungs which causes shortness of breath1.
Yarraly – Midwest Lung and Respiratory Support Group in conjunction with GRH Rehab Physio Dept is raising awareness of the prevalence and impact of COPD.
Yarraly – Midwest Lung and Respiratory Support Group representative said, “We want everyone in Geraldton who is more breathless than others their age or who has a cough that won’t go away to get a lung health check by visiting their health professional.”
Lung Foundation Australia estimates that approximately 1.45 million Australians have some form of COPD.2,3 This represents approximately one in seven Australians aged 40 and over.2
Lung Foundation CEO, Heather Allan, said that over 750,000 Australians2,3have COPD that has progressed to a stage at which symptoms, such as breathlessness may already be present and affecting their daily lives. “Half of these people do not have a doctor’s diagnosis of COPD and are therefore not taking the important steps to slow down the progression of the disease.4 “
In Australia, COPD is the fifth leading cause of death5.
If you are 35 years or older and have a history of smoking or had occupational exposure to dust, gas and/or fumes and you have a persistent cough with or without phlegm or are more breathless than others your age, it is recommended you speak to your health professional for a lung health check.
Lung Foundation Australia encourages everyone to take a couple of minutes to do a simple online lung health checklist at www.lunghealthchecklist.com.au and to join a local World COPD Day event to help raise awareness of COPD.
World COPD Day Local Event Activity Details:
What: Walk for Awareness
Where: Grassed Area north of Dome
When: 17th November 2015 at 11am
Cost (if any): Gold Coin donation
Contact: Michelle0432580613
What: Display and Information Booths – Also free Lung Testing on 17th Nov
Where: Geraldton Regional Hospital Foyer
When: 17 and 18th November 2015
Cost (if any): No Cost
Contact: Michelle0432580613
