COPD is the general name for a collection of lung diseases including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. You may know it better by these names. People with COPD have difficulty breathing because of long-term damage to their lungs.

How will you know whether you have asthma or COPD? What’s the difference between bronchitis and emphysema? Listen here for a simple guide to how each affects you.

It may start with just a bit of a cough. Perhaps you get a little more puffed walking up stairs. You may put it down to smoking, or just getting older. But it could be COPD. The earlier COPD is diagnosed, the earlier treatment can begin.

Sue Matthews helps run the Barking and Dagenham Breathe Easy group. She’s 54 and was diagnosed with COPD in 2008. In this section she talks about the gradual progression of COPD, the embarrassment of using oxygen and her determination to keep active.

Shortness of breath is a common symptom of COPD. You may find it harder to do ordinary daily activities that you used to find easy like getting dressed or walking to the shops. Breathlessness can become very frightening and lead to isolation and depression.

It can be very frightening not being able to breathe. In this section some people with COPD give an idea of what it’s like. You’ll also hear about a useful breathing technique and realise that breathlessness doesn’t need to stop you doing everything.

The main cause of COPD is smoking. The chances of developing the disease increase the more you smoke and the longer you’ve been smoking. If you have COPD it’s essential you quit smoking.

Wayne Crookshank is 49. He smoked since he was 16 and in 2005 had part of his lung removed. He’s has to quit his job as a lorry driver and doesn’t know if he’ll ever work again.

If you get breathless when you exercise, or have had a cough for a long time, you may have COPD. Your doctor or practice nurse can do a simple series of tests to find out. The earlier you are diagnosed the better. Don’t leave it until the disease is already far advanced.

You may have a chest x-ray or CT scan as part of your diagnosis but the most common test is spirometry – combined with your medical history. Listen to respiratory nurse Tendai describe how she goes about testing for COPD with a spirometer.

Between the ages of 35 and 45 everyone’s lung function begins to decline. If you smoke the decline is up to three times faster. If you quit smoking you can slow down the effects of COPD and live longer. Barking and Dagenham Smoking Cessation services can help.

Jayne Din, Sue Matthews and Wayne Crookshank all have COPD. They all used to smoke. This is what they think of smoking now.

Because there’s no cure for COPD treatment is mainly to relieve symptoms. It’s likely to involve one or more inhalers (bronchodilators and/or steroid inhalers) but you may also need tablets and possibly oxygen. It’s important to understand your medication and take it correctly.

Dr. Fowler describes a couple of techniques which may help when you get breathless.

Pulmonary rehab is part exercise, part education. It’s an eight week programme which can greatly improve your quality of life. It’s run by Barking and Dagenham’s lead respiratory physiotherapist. Guest speakers address every aspect of living with COPD.

In this section Anne Lenaghan explains the type of exercise you’ll find on the pulmonary rehab programme. If you’ve never been inside a gym before, Anne will make it easy for you! And your whole life could change for the better.

Jayne Din helps run the Barking and Dagenham Breathe Easy group. She’s 50 and was diagnosed fifteen years ago. In this section she talks about how she came to terms with losing her job, the benefits of pulmonary rehabilitation and how to keep a positive outlook on life.

Keeping active can help strengthen your heart and lungs. It can also improve your breathing and help you go back to doing things you enjoy. In this section you’ll hear some advice about diet as well.

The Breathe Easy network provides support and information for people with COPD. You may find it useful to meet other people with COPD and share tips and experiences. There’s a very active group in Barking and Dagenham. See the contacts page for details.

There are plans to develop an Expert Patients Programme in Barking and Dagenham. If you’re unable to visit the clinic, home visits will be arranged. There’s also a rapid response team which may be able to treat your exacerbations at home and keep you out of hospital.

Having COPD can cause anxiety and depression. Don’t be afraid to talk to your doctor about depression and get help if you need it.

With Sue Matthews, Jayne Din and Wayne Crookshank from the Barking and Dagenham Breathy Easy support group.