WHY DO I FIGHT FOR BREATH?

A IN COPD – chronic obstructive pulmonary disease – the airways to the lungs are permanently inflamed and narrowed, making it difficult for air to get in and out. This causes breathlessness and wheezing, which is worse during exercise.

But unlike asthma, which is usually intermittent, breathing problems with COPD are persistent.

In the majority of cases, smoking is to blame and the more you smoke, the more likely you are to develop COPD. If you continue to smoke, the inflammation and breathlessness will get worse.

So stopping smoking – and that includes breathing in secondhand smoke – is vital.

There is no cure for COPD but inhalers that widen the airways – such as salbutamol and ipratropium – can make breathing easier
Some work quickly while others work more slowly but have an effect for longer.

People respond differently but, for many, a combination of two or more inhalers gives best relief from breathlessness.

If you have a lot of flare-ups, using a steroid inhaler as well may be beneficial.

If your inhalers are not helping you, see your GP and discuss whether there are alternatives. Regular exercise has been shown to improve breathing.

A daily walk for around 20 minutes can make a difference but if you feel too breathless to do this, ask your GP if you could be referred for exercise classes for people with breathing problems.

You should also try to lose excess weight and make sure you have

up-to-date immunisations against flu and pneumococcus. Your practice nurse can arrange these.