Get a Warrant of Fitness for your lungs

Get a Warrant of Fitness for your lungs — save yourself grief

On the eve of a World Day raising awareness of COPD, a lung condition that is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide, the Asthma Foundation is urging people aged over 35 who smoke or used to smoke to ask their doctor for a simple lung test.

“Next time you are at the doctors, ask for a spirometry test to see how healthy your lungs are. It doesn’t take long and could be extremely important, “says the Asthma Foundation’s Chief Executive, Jane Patterson.

“If your lungs are damaged and showing the effects of smoking, this will give you an incentive to quit or make some other lifestyle choices.”

World COPD Day, which is on 17 November this year, is held to raise awareness of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, an umbrella term covering emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

According to the World Health Organisation, COPD is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide, surpassed only by heart attacks, strokes, and acute lung infections. It kills more people than cancer, and as many people as HIV/AIDS. It is estimated that worldwide nearly three million people die from COPD every year.

It is generally accepted that between 85 and 90 percent of COPD cases can be attributed to smoking, and the rates of COPD are higher in countries where more people smoke.

“If your doctor or practice nurse does not do spirometry testing, they will be able to refer you to someone in your community who does – for example, your local Asthma Society,” Jane says.

ENDS

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