During the winter months there are lots of people around who may be unwell with a cold or flu. This can be a dangerous time for someone who has Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and catching these viruses can put them at risk of a flare-up.
COPD is the most common cause of preventable hospitalisations in Australia. Now more than ever, it is important to stay well and out of hospital. This will not only reduce your risk of exposure to COVID-19 but also avoid adding extra strain on our hospitals while they fight this pandemic.
Each flare-up does further damage to the lungs, so it’s important to recognise the early signs of a flare-up and have an action plan in place to ensure faster treatment and a quicker and better recovery. These include:
- Coughing more than usual.
- Finding it harder to breathe than usual.
- Any change in sputum (phlegm).
- Feeling more tired and less active than usual.
Come prepared this winter by completing a COPD Action Plan. This simple tool will help you to recognise when your symptoms change or worsen and what action you need to take.