Breathing Life Into London's Lungs As Pollution Death Rate Rises
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has strengthened his commitment to protect London’s Green Belt and other important open spaces for future generations and set out...
Read Full ArticlePHE has highlighted the blight of smoking-related lung disease for 1 million people in England and causes 25,000 deaths each year – twice the European average.
Public Health England (PHE) has pointed out the debilitating nature of this condition that leaves many finding difficulties in climbing stairs, housework or gardening with many even unable take a holiday because of their disease.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the umbrella term for serious lung conditions that include chronic bronchitis and emphysema and for which there is no known cure.
People with COPD have difficulties breathing, primarily due to the narrowing of their airways and destruction of lung tissue. Typical symptoms include breathlessness when active, a persistent cough and frequent chest infections.
However, PHE is keen to point out that those affected can still take steps to slow the progress of the COPD.
To highlight the impact of this progressive disabling disease, it has released a short film featuring Olympian Iwan Thomas, whose mother has recently been diagnosed with COPD. Together with four smokers, he took part in an experiment to illustrate the difficulties of living with advanced COPD and urged people to quit this New Year. “I’ve never fully understood COPD or the everyday consequences but when the simple things like climbing the stairs, making a cup of tea or walking to the bus stop become impossible, it’s serious,” he stated.
Clinical lead for COPD at Royal Brompton Hospital, Reader in respiratory medicine at Imperial College London and medical adviser to the British Lung Foundation, Dr Nicholas Hopkinson, was emphatic in his prognosis. “My advice to anyone who smokes is don’t ignore a ‘smoker’s cough’ or getting out of breath. Take it as a sign to quit before any damage to your lungs gets worse. If diagnosed early, changes in lifestyle, treatments such as pulmonary rehabilitation, and prescription medications can slow down the progression of the disease and help patients cope with symptoms like breathlessness and fatigue.”
Picture: COPD kills at least 25,000 every year in England but steps can be taken to limit its damage
Article written by Mike Gannon
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has strengthened his commitment to protect London’s Green Belt and other important open spaces for future generations and set out...
Read Full ArticleIn one year, the energy saving additive EndoTherm has helped RBS to reduce its energy consumption by 29% and carbon emissions by 10 tonnes. The new innovation, a...
Read Full ArticleLocal authorities and bus companies in Bristol, York, Brighton, Surrey, Denbighshire and Wiltshire have been awarded 11 million funding under the government’s...
Read Full ArticleThe Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has encouraged leading TV and radio broadcasters to work with him to help inform Londoners in particular and the country as a whole about...
Read Full ArticleAn 73-year old woman pedestrian, struck by a cyclist on Tuesday 12 at about 4:30pm died in the early hours of Wednesday - Cycle To Work Day. Calls again have been made...
Read Full ArticleClientEarth is a high-powered group of environmental lawyers and activists. They say a High Court judgment delivered on Wednesday July 5 on air pollution is a 'shot...
Read Full ArticleThe organisation leading Mental Health Week, the Mental Health Foundation, has conducted a survey to understand the prevalence of self-reported mental health problems,...
Read Full ArticleThe Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity and the Considerate Constructors Scheme have launched a new initiative to help support the mental health in the construction...
Read Full ArticleJust as the British Medical Journal says walking and cycling as part of a commute can help prevent cancer, London now has appointed its first Walking and Cycling...
Read Full ArticleA Chartered Institute of Professional Development (CIPD) report has found that 53% of managers are not trained or qualified to handle ‘difficult...
Read Full Article