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COPD leads to damaged airways in the lungs, causing them to become narrower and making it harder for air to get in and out of the lungs. The word ‘chronic’ means that the problem is long-term.
The most common cause of COPD is smoking. Occupational factors, such as coal dust, and some inherited problems can also cause COPD. Whether pollution is a factor is under investigation.
In mild cases, symptoms like a cough, phlegm and shortness of breath may only be present during the winter of after a cold. In more severe cases, you may be short of breath every day.
COPD cannot be cured once you have it, but a lot can be done to relieve its symptoms: stopping smoking, a balanced diet, inhalers that make your airways wider, antibiotics, flu vaccinations, etc.
Some people with COPD develop low oxygen levels in their blood. Oxygen treats this lack of oxygen, it does not treat breathlessness. If you have low blood oxygen levels, the long-term use of oxygen at home could be of benefit to you.
In case you are a home oxygen user and want to travel, please contact CARE O2.
CARE O2 has arranged oxygen for international travellers since 1993.
(Source: British Lung Foundation) Recommend this article... |
