Slide 1
Myths and facts about COPD
How much do you know about chronic obstructive lung diseases?
Slide 2
Chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) is a group of chronic lung diseases, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
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Myth: COPD is a man’s disease.
Fact: More women have COPD than men.
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Myth: Only smokers get copd.
Fact: You can get COPD, even if you have never smoked. Further risk factors for COPD are genetics and exposure to:
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Smoke from second hand
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pollution
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Cleaning products
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Chemicals/sprays
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Myth: You cannot train if you have COPD.
Fact: Regular movement – even if it is easy – is helpful for people with COPD.
It can help to improve your:
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myth: COPD is easy to diagnose.
Fact: COPD is difficult to diagnose because they have symptoms with other lung diseases, heart failure or pulmonary embolism.
Other reasons are:
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See no specialist with specialist knowledge in COPD (a pulmonologist)
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No spirometry test received, the gold standard for diagnosis
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Myth: COPD symptoms are the same for every person.
Fact: Not everyone experiences the same symptoms.
The most common COPD symptoms are:
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Long -term cough
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shortness of breath
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Mucus or mucus coughs
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Bean or breast tightness
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Fatigue or fatigue
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I have the feeling that you can’t breathe
Slide 8
Myth: There is no treatment of COPD.
Fact: COPD cannot be cured, but treatment can help reduce complications and treat symptoms.
The treatment options can include:
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Bronchodilators
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Steroid
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Medicines such as anticholinergics, biologics and PDE4 inhibitors
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Supplementary oxygen
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Lung or endobronchial therapy
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Pulmonary rehabilitation
Slide 9
Myth: You don’t have to stop smoking if you have COPD because the damage is already done.
Fact: Smoking can help to improve your symptoms and quality of life.
You will see an improvement in coughing and breathing within 9 months after quitting.
Slide 10
It is important to visit a pulmonologist for proper diagnosis and treatment of COPD. Be sure to speak to your health service provider if you have symptoms.
This educational resource was created in cooperation with the COPD Foundation and with the support of Regeneron and Sanofi.