Introduction to COPD in Australia

A preventable and treatable lung disease characterized by chronic obstruction of the airways that is not fully reversible.

Ongoing or long-lasting.

Narrowing or blockage of the airways.

A test to measure lung function.

A calculation in spirometry to detect airway blockage.

Forced expiratory volume in 1 second; how much air you exhale in 1 second.

Forced vital capacity; how much air you can exhale in total.

Significant number of Australians, especially Indigenous Australians, affected.

Significant financial and health cost due to the disease.

Factors that increase the likelihood to develop COPD (e.g., smoking).

Progressive loss of lung function, breathing difficulty (dyspnea), persistent cough, mucus production, and reduced physical activity. These symptoms overlap with other lung conditions.

Methods to confirm COPD diagnosis include tests like spirometry (measuring lung function) as well as assessing breathlessness, cough, mucus, and potential exacerbations (worsening of symptoms).

Maximizing lung function and quality of life through physical activity, reducing weakness, using bronchodilators, treating any accompanying health problems, and potentially lung surgery.

Actions to prevent the worsening of COPD, including quitting smoking, getting vaccinated (influenza, pneumonia, COVID), using supplemental oxygen therapy, and taking preventative antibiotics if needed, with consideration of palliative care.

Personalized strategies for managing COPD, including inhaler technique, medication schedules, exercise, pulmonary rehab, and action plans for managing flare-ups or exacerbations.

A lung function test that measures how much air a person can inhale and exhale and how quickly.

Medicines that open up the airways in the lungs, making breathing easier.

A sudden worsening of COPD symptoms, often requiring more aggressive treatment.

A structured program designed to improve physical and psychological well-being for people with lung conditions.

Factors that increase the chances of developing COPD include smoking, exposure to irritants like dust, fumes, and air pollution, genetics, parental smoking, and asthma.

Smoking is the primary and most preventable cause of COPD, accounting for the majority of cases.

COPD management principles focus on Confirming diagnosis, Optimizing function, Preventing deterioration, and Developing a care plan.

Confirming COPD diagnosis involves spirometry (lung function test), evaluating breathlessness, cough, sputum production, and assessing potential exacerbations (worsening of symptoms).

Maximizing lung function and quality of life involves physical activity, reducing weakness, using bronchodilators, managing comorbidities, and potential lung volume reduction surgery.

Actions to prevent COPD from worsening include smoking cessation, immunizations (flu, pneumonia, COVID), oxygen therapy, prophylactic antibiotics, and considerations for palliative care.

COPD is a chronic lung disease where the airways become narrowed and don't fully open up, making it difficult to breathe. It's a preventable and treatable condition.

Chronic means the condition lasts for a long time, often for years.

Obstructive means the airways are blocked or narrowed, making it harder for air to flow in and out of the lungs.

Pulmonary refers to the lungs.

Disease means an illness or disorder that affects the body's normal functioning.

COPD affects a significant number of Australians, especially First Nations people over 45, and causes substantial healthcare costs.