Last updated: March 19, 2024
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In Germany there are almost three million people who live with a diagnosis of “chronic obstructive pulmonary disease”, or COPD for short.1 Those affected usually experience progressive damage to the lung tissue, which manifests itself, among other things, in a permanent narrowing of the airways. Increasing shortness of breath is the most well-known sign. Symptoms also include cough and shortness of breath.
Although there is no cure for COPD, those affected can better control their symptoms and thus slow the progression of the chronic disease. For patients* the doctor is a very important companion. Regular examinations are part of those affected’s diary, even if the COPD does not yet have a major impact on daily life. The new patient website www.copd-werde-aktiv.de gives tips for talking to the doctor so that you can talk openly about your own breathing problems and the treatment – and then hopefully breathe deeply.
* Info: This text basically includes all genders. However, for better readability, only one gender form is used – which one is at the discretion of those who wrote the text.
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Every conversation you have about COPD, especially with your doctor, but also with family members, plays a crucial role in staying positive and actively supporting your own well-being and the people and things you love. These conversations provide emotional support, but above all, they serve to exchange medical information and receive the best possible treatment. On the website www.copd-werde-aktiv.de Both those affected and those around them will find useful and easy-to-understand information about the disease COPD and the challenges associated with it.
Overall, every conversation held and every source of information available helps those affected feel better informed, support each other and find ways together to ensure good treatment of COPD and thus continue to lead a fulfilling and active life.
A website as a companion
The new patient website aims to inform and educate. This includes advice for everyday life as well as a guide for consultations with the doctor, which is available for download and helps to check COPD symptoms and document illness-related abnormalities. In this way, the memory can be relieved and at the same time it can be ensured that gradual changes in breathing do not go unnoticed. In addition to recommendations for maintaining a healthy lifestyle, there is information on preventative measures such as relevant vaccinations for those affected by COPD.
The therapy options can be diverse
The patient website also provides information about various treatment options. Although there is no cure for COPD, therapy can help relieve symptoms such as shortness of breath, coughing and mucus formation and improve quality of life. Medication, which is usually taken via an inhaler, plays an important role in treatment. Several active ingredients can also be combined at the same time. The decisive factor for the form of therapy is the severity of the COPD, which is determined based on various factors. Among other things, the number of deteriorations that have occurred (exacerbations) and the extent of the symptoms are parameters that are asked for in the medical classification. Individual living conditions also play a role.
One of the most important measures is to stop smoking, as smoking is one of the main triggers for the development of COPD. In addition, physical activity and respiratory therapy play an important role in managing COPD. In addition to medical treatment options, psychological support is also an important part of COPD treatment. It can help you deal with the emotional effects of the illness and develop coping strategies. A multidisciplinary approach that combines medical treatment, physical activity and psychological support can help improve the quality of life of COPD patients, relieve their symptoms and slow disease progression. More detailed information about forms of therapy and determining the degree of severity can be found on the website (www.copd-werde-aktiv.de).
Take action now and check whether the current form of therapy is still set correctly. Further information at: www.copd-werde-aktiv.de
In friendly cooperation with GSK
NP-DE-CPU-PRSR-240001; 02/24