Health warning for Yarmouth residents

YARMOUTH residents are being encouraged to see their doctor if they feel breathless. NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney's Community Respiratory Specialist Nurse Team said many people may have trouble breathing, a persistent cough or other symptoms relating to a serious condition known as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), but they are not seeking help.

YARMOUTH residents are being encouraged to see their doctor if they feel breathless.

NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney's Community Respiratory Specialist Nurse Team said many people may have trouble breathing, a persistent cough or other symptoms relating to a serious condition known as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), but they are not seeking help.

On Wednesday, November 18, at Lowestoft Library in Clapham Road South, the team will be gathering as part of World COPD day to help raise awareness of the condition and symptoms.

The team will also explain and demonstrate how lungs are tested using “spirometry”.

Adele Godbolt, Community Respiratory Specialist Nurse at Beccles Hospital, said: “COPD stands for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and means in principle problems with breathing.

“It is usually found in smokers and symptoms can be coughing, producing sputum, maybe frequent chest infections such as bronchitis and general breathlessness. If people ignore the signs they may end up more and more breathless, which will be very disabling.”

There are many treatments in the form of inhalers, but keeping fit and able is also a key way to slow the progression of the illness and improve quality of life.