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A NEW PATIENT organisation aimed at providing support for almost half a million Irish people living with a potentially deadly respiratory condition was launched today by Minister Alex White.
COPD Support Ireland is a charity set up to support those living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a lung condition that makes it hard for sufferers to breathe due to obstruction of the airways in their lungs.
It is Ireland’s first national COPD support and advocacy body, bringing together local support groups from around the country, to help those living with, and caring for someone with, COPD.
COPD is a major cause of death and disability and mainly affects those aged over 40. It is estimated that there are more than 440,000 people with COPD in Ireland.
Leading cause of death
Michael McGloin, President of COPD Support Ireland, who was diagnosed with COPD 14 years ago and has worked tirelessly at a grassroots level to raise awareness of COPD, spoke at the launch of the new charity.
“COPD is destined to be the third leading cause of death globally by 2020, and with Ireland’s ageing population, it is an issue that we as a nation simply cannot ignore,” said. “This disease needs to be prioritised immediately if we are to avoid a future health time bomb.”
When I was first diagnosed with COPD in 1999 I found it hard to learn more about the disease and what I could expect from it. This led me to set up a support group in Sligo to help others with this condition. I hope that the development of this national organisation will provide much needed support and comfort for those currently living with the disease, and also those recently diagnosed.
Education
Damien Peelo, CEO, COPD Support Ireland said the establishment of the patient group will provide a valuable education and support resource for those living with the disease and also a mechanism to advocate on behalf of the COPD community.
Recent research found that over a third of people with COPD said that the lung disease had a detrimental effect on their careers, with almost a fifth indicating that it forced them to retire early.
The vast majority of those surveyed were not familiar with its symptoms. Research also found that the main risk factor for it is smoking, which causes 85-90 per cent of COPD deaths.
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That’s my dad :) So proud of his achievements to highlight this disease! Go Mr President!
Well done to him ,my father has COPD I worry about him alot this will help so many people xx
Great news and well done Michael i. Working so hard , my mam was diagnosed over 30 years ago . A lot people will benefit from this :)
Great stuff, my grandad suffered from it, good to see awareness raised
David it sure will its hard to see people close to you suffer , and you can’t do much to help . My mam is still fighting it and I suppose probably because we don’t know anyone else who has it makes you feel alone with it , so the awareness will be great for a lot of people :D
I very much welcome this news! Well done it is a great idea and no doubt much needed support.
Look, I was a 40 a day smoker for 20 years up until last Friday. Now, I’m on ecigs and cigarette free for 3 days.
That said, as COPD is the topic and smokers are the biggest group concerned. Honestly, I don’t think I can take anymore groups forming. Granted there may be a necessity. Let the author, nor people behind the group take any offence whatsoever, as it’s not meant in that light.
But, I think I’ve finally had enough these last few months. Tune in next week for the launch of the national freckled people institute. Don’t forget, this Friday we have the launch of salt and vinegar hula hoop association, followed by the National Institute for Destitute Prostitute cake sale on Saturday. On Monday the Womens Association against Itchy Tampons will be protesting in Galway City centre. And a big crowd is expected for the Psoriasis sufferers sit in against Head and Shoulders on Tuesday.
Honestly, I’ve had enough. So many pocket groups in this country and no unity as a collective. Part of the reason os a servile media, and part of the reason is that very same media feed off press releases like this.
A most salient point. There should be a single umbrella association advocating and providing oatient support for known medical conditions – all 12,420 of them.
You are so disrespectful and if you are ever diagnosed with COPD you’ll understand the importance of this group!
Agreed. We could call it The Health Service.
No Soneps – there should be less lobby groups focusing on the 80 groups that get the media soundbites week in week out, and more focus on the collective health budget.
If there is a budget, and one more vociferous lobby group fights for something, some other group loses out.
“A most salient point. There should be a single umbrella association advocating and providing oatient support for known medical conditions – all 12,420 of them”
You’re approach means 12,420 groups – you’re not far off it at this point.
Agreed Sheik.
Claudia – COPD diagnosis depends on a test called spirometry. The test measures how much air you can force from the lungs and how fast it blows out
It’s likely that most long term smokers have COPD.
just pray to jaysus you or your loved ones never get it Luke,,,,,i watched and cared for my poor father who suffered for a full 11 years with it, and struggled to even speak let alone eat with it,,,how i so wish there had been support groups who could have helped me through it all,,,,,
Exactly the point Jaqueline – the support group is also for the carers, not just the patients
I accept that fully Jacqueline. My own mother at 72 still smokes, and has smoked since she was 12.
But, according to the article above ” It is estimated that there are more than 440,000 people with COPD in Ireland”.
Of course I welcome any group or helpline or initiative that can help sufferers lie your father and you. I’m not trying to be a bastard here. But, it likely won’t be long before this group – if successful like many others – will claim to be the voice of 440,000 people – or at least they’ll get the phone call for a soundbite in years to come. That’s what I am fighting against.
Why are you fighting against it Luke? This group is not for you thankfully so just let it be for those who do need it and count yourself lucky. My mother had COPD. I was only glad she died from other causes before she found it very hard to breathe. This is an excellent much needed Group and well done to the founder and those who are working to make it possible. This is what works for people who need it. Perhaps you need to recognise that and just move on to complaining about something more relevant to you or something you have first hand knowledge about?
Eh – I have COPD myself Catherine. Most long term smokers do.
Then why on earth are you griping ? This group could provide support to you and your family and could be useful creating awareness and lobbying where necessary . If this group is not for you then just stay silent. Unless you personally have found this group to be lacking in any way ? Looks like it needs its chance to try and make a difference and if it fails your welcome to complain all you want.
@ Jacqueline.. Same here, my mother died young suffering too.. Very difficult and would’ve loved some support at the time.. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone… struggling for breathe every day….
I hope the Asthma Society don’t feel the COPD society is moving in on their turf.
Now you’ve gone and done it Soneps. Now you’ve offended the asthmatic association of turf diggers with COPD. Ming will be furious – he’s the founder of that group.
Smoking causes COPD in the over 40s.
Replace each COPD in the article with Smoking!
http://www.healthcentral.com/copd/c/96870/88559/copd-smoker/ michael not always…………………… your ill informed
The great majority of people in Ireland with COPD are or have been smokers, indeed in some definitions it’s a requirement to make the diagnosis to avoid confusion with other lung conditions. There is a tendency on this site for people to contradict medical evidence that doesn’t suit them. In general in medicine we regard COPD (Chronic Bronchitis and Emphysema) as a smokers disease and the only treatment we have that substantially extends the life of those with COPD is giving up smoking.
That article u quoted said 80 to 90% of people with COPD are cos of smoking!
Is it wrong to point out that this terrible condition is largely self-inflicted?
Thanks Joe for pointing that out.
@Aisling. What is wrong with u? COPD is a smokers disease just as much as lung cancer!!
There are exceptions but the VAAAAST majority are smokers. Have you read that article u quoted?
How the hell do you know, have you got it, my father has it and i can tell you now that was only a small part of the reason!
@Laura
You are joking, right?
Check the CDC website. Google smoking & COPD. You’ll see that:
1. COPD (the number 3 killer in the US) is almost always caused by smoking.
2. Smoking accounts for as many as 9 of 10 COPD-related deaths.
@Laura
Ah! It’s an April fools gag! Ha ha! Thanks for that. Good one.
Surprised there wasn’t a charity or COPD in Ireland before this. But there are certainly not 440,000 COPD sufferers in Ireland. 21% of overall population smoke at least 1 cigarette/week (HSE Cigarette smoking trends December 2012). Only 10-20% of heavy smokers develop COPD (Kumar and Clarke Clinical medicine 8th edition) with <10% of COPD due to alternate aetiology other than smoking. Massive overestimation of prevalence. But good that there's now a support charity.
Best of luck to these people with COPD. It’s an awful, costly, and debilitating.
By definition, it’s an irreversible condition.
Is there any way we could avoid it or maybe it’s genetic…
I have it over year,and was smoking 40 cigs a day,thankfully offt them since I was told,of course I need someone who can relate to my fears worries ect,I congratulate Michael who is still fighting the cause not for himself but for all us, thanks Michael your a hero in my eyes.
Unfortunately asthma isnt considered a long term illness in this country. Inhalers are very expensive and if someone cannot afford their meds, over time they may develop COPD so its great to know that my daughter wont be looked after until she has this debilitating condition.
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