A number of events are taking place throughout the county for people that are concerned about the health of their lungs to receive expert advice.
Wiltshire Council is working with the British Lung Foundation (BLF) to hold a series of 12 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) screening events across the county, to help find the thousands of local residents estimated to be living with undiagnosed COPD, so that they can get the support and help they need.
COPD encompasses a number of conditions, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema, which can cause people to have difficulty breathing due to long-term damage to their lungs. Of the estimated three million people in the UK living with COPD, around two thirds remain undiagnosed.
The ‘Love Your Lungs’ events will offer the opportunity for those who have had a persistent cough for three weeks or more, or who often feel breathless or wheezy, to speak to specialist BLF nurses for free advice, information and lung function tests.
One of the events takes place on Wednesday 11th March which is national No Smoking Day. There is an increased risk of getting COPD for smokers and that likelihood increases more the longer they smoke. More information about No Smoking Day can be found at www. nosmokingday.org.uk.
Justin Parsons, the British Lung Foundation service development manager for the South West, said, “We are inviting everyone in Wiltshire who has felt breathless or has a persistent cough to come along and take this opportunity to get their lungs checked.
“For many people, they will have nothing to worry about, but it is always better to be sure and put your mind at rest.”
One of the events taking place locally is on Wednesday 11th March at Asda, Trowbridge from 10.00am to 4.00pm.
To find out more about the Love Your Lungs campaign please visit: www.blf.org.uk/loveyourlungs.
