Are you a person with COPD, support person or clinician caring for people with COPD? In this week of
#WorldCOPDDay, email BREATHE@uts.edu.au to find out how you can help co-design an optimal 'Breathlessness Action Plan' through a project partnering @UTS_Health and
@Lungfoundation
ALT COPD is sometimes also called emphysema, chronic bronchitis, or chronic asthma.
Many people with COPD experience a sudden worsening in breathlessness that is frightening, sometimes leading them to call an ambulance or go to the Emergency Department.
Sudden breathlessness can sometimes be a symptom of a COPD 'exacerbation' that requires medical treatment. However, at other times, it may be caused by factors like exertion or changes in the weather, and can be self-managed using simple strategies like breathing techniques and a hand-held fan.
Breathlessness action plans are easy-to-follow, step-by-step guides on what to do when breathlessness becomes suddenly worse. They differ from COPD action plans that focus on managing an exacerbation using medical treatments.
This project will co-design an optimal breathlessness action plan to complement the Lung Foundation Australia's COPD Action Plan at https://lungfoundation.com.au/resources/copd-action-plan/