PEOPLE with breathing difficulties have been urged to access support and advice to help them with their condition.
In East Lancashire, there are more than 10,000 people who live with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), which is the name for a collection of lung diseases which include chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
Sufferers of COPD have difficulty breathing, get out of breath more easily, and frequently have a persistent cough, wheeze or excessive phlegm production.
Health bosses have said patients with COPD can access yearly check-ups at their GP practice.
This covers general advice about lifestyle and medication and how stopping smoking is one of the best way of protecting people from COPD.
Dr Stuart Berry, GP lead for respiratory conditions at East Lancashire CCG said: “Breathe Easy groups provide a great support network for patients and enables them to gain advice from other patients who have learned to cope well with COPD."
For more information about COPD and breathe easy groups, call British Lung Foundation on 03000 030 555 or visit www.blf.org.uk
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