This article was written by Bailey McCrary.
Chronic lung conditions impact people all around the world, and the COPD Foundation partners with volunteers both within and outside the United States to help make things better for those affected. While different countries may face very different types of issues, the needs felt by those with chronic lung conditions are often similar.
We asked some questions of one international COPD Foundation volunteer making an important impact outside the United States. The following is an interview with Prince Osei Poku, who serves as the COPD Foundation Captain from Ghana. His role is driven by a personal mission to improve lung health care for all.
Who are you and how does your background connect to lung health advocacy?
I am Prince Osei Poku, a pulmonary disease advocate and COPD Foundation Captain from Ghana, West Africa.
I am an Administrator for Asthma Ghana, a Pharmacy Technologist, and a Sustainable Procurement Practitioner with some years in the National Ambulance Service of Ghana. I’ve worked with patients with chronic respiratory diseases in West Africa where lung health care can be very expensive, and access is limited, especially the primary health care settings. Thankfully, through advocacy for increased access to lung health care, things are beginning to change for patients.
What motivated you to become a lung health advocate?
I met a retired miner with COPD who had become heavily dependent on opioid medication with cough mixtures to manage his persistent productive cough. It troubled me. I began looking for ways to advocate for awareness and education to help with the impact of workplace hazards on people affected by cystic fibrosis and COPD.
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This article was written by Arnelle Konde, MPH, CHES.
Delayed care after a COPD flare-up can be dangerous. Waiting too long to address worsening symptoms is linked to more hospital visits and a higher risk of death.1,4 Early treatment, on the other hand, can improve outcomes and even shorten recovery time.1,4
Even if you have lived with COPD for years, you can miss subtle changes in how you feel. Symptoms may creep up slowly or not seem "serious enough" to mention. But even subtle changes may be a sign that your condition may be unstable. Speaking up early can help protect your lung function, independence, and quality of life.
When Changes May Mean Something More
It is normal to have good days and bad days with COPD. But if something feels off or different from your usual pattern, it's worth paying attention.
Look out for:
- Increased shortness of breath during usual activities
- Coughing more often
- Struggling with daily tasks
- Using your recue inhaler more often
These changes might seem minor, but they can be early signs that your symptoms are not fully controlled. Exacerbations often happen after symptoms gradually get worse, so you may not recognize it at first.1,2 The earlier you act, the more time you may have to manage symptoms before they become severe
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This article was written by Kalli Mago.
Studies show men often wait to see the doctor until they have severe symptoms,1 but getting a diagnosis earlier can make a big impact on COPD and other chronic conditions.2
One survey shared that 72% of American men would rather clean the bathroom or mow the lawn than go to a doctor's appointment. Only half said they would see the doctor for a yearly check-up.
In honor of Men's Health Week, we're highlighting health issues that impact millions of men worldwide. This includes common health problems that affect people who have COPD. If you recognize any of the symptoms, talk to your doctor and get the care you need to support your health.
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This article was written by Arnelle Konde, MPH, CHES.
COPD symptoms do not always stay the same. Some people notice that their breathing gets worse over time. Others have flare-ups that happen more often or feel more serious. If your symptoms seem harder to control, inflammation may be one reason why.
Inflammation is part of your body's immune response1. It helps protect you from infection or injury. However, in COPD, inflammation in the lungs can become long-lasting and may damage your airways over time.
Understanding what is happening in your body can help you take the next step in your care.
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This article was written by Arnelle Konde, MPH, CHES.
For many years, COPD was seen as a "man's disease", but that may not be the truth.1 Every day, more women are getting diagnosed with COPD, and the numbers keep going up.2 New studies are showing that more women than men have COPD.2
During National Women's Health Week, we are sharing how women may have a different experience with COPD than men. Women may have different symptoms and provider interactions. They face unique challenges, and their voices matter. We are also highlighting three COPD Foundation Captains, who are working to bring change and to raise awareness.
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This article was written by Arnelle Konde, MPH, CHES.
If you are living with COPD, you may experience symptoms that change daily. Some days, it may feel harder to breathe, or you may cough more than usual. But sometimes, these changes can mean something more serious—an exacerbation, also known as a flare-up.1 These flare-ups can have a major impact on your breathing, daily activities, and overall health. Knowing the warning signs and acting early can help you feel better and prevent a hospital stay.
What Is a COPD Flare-Up?
A COPD flare-up is a worsening of your usual symptoms1,2, such as:
- Shortness of breath
- Coughing or wheezing
- Mucus buildup
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This article was written by Kalli Mago.
Some people with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) get a lung transplant to help. In a lung transplant, doctors remove a diseased lung and replace it with a healthy lung from an organ donor.
A single lung transplant means replacing one lung, while both lungs are replaced in a double lung transplant. Whether someone gets a single or double transplant often depends on how many donated lungs are available and how many people are waiting. Studies show that double lung transplants can have an increased chance of long-term success.1
COPD is one of the most common reasons why people get lung transplants. From 1990 to 2017, people with COPD made up 36% of all lung transplants.1
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This post was written by: Amanda Atkinson, MSN, RN.
If you or someone you love is living with COPD, you may have heard about new treatment options called biologics. If you are already using inhalers every day and still having flare-ups, biologics may work for you.
What is a Biologic?
Most medicines are made with chemicals in a lab, but biologics are different. A biologic is a type of medicine that is made from a living source, like cells or proteins.1 Biologics for COPD are usually given as a shot once or twice a month.
How do they help?
Instead of just treating your symptoms, they work in your body to stop the cause of inflammation. Biologics are different from other medicines like inhalers, which work broadly in the lungs to reduce swelling. They are made to block certain signals in your body that may be causing flare-ups. They do not replace inhalers or other medications but are added when those medications alone are not enough to control symptoms.
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This post was written by Arnelle Konde, MPH, CHES.
Caregiving is more than a list of tasks – it's a profound shift in love. We spoke with a longtime advocate about her journey caring for her father through COPD. From navigating the emotional weight of role reversals to finding meaning in the hardest days, she shares what it really looks like to walk the path of a family caregiver.
Karen Anzalone serves as the New York State Captain for the COPD Foundation. Her role is driven by a very personal mission. In 2010, she lost her father, John Ferrara Jr., to COPD. After his death, Karen turned her grief into a lifelong commitment to advocacy for people with COPD. Karen’s work spans from local community outreach to meetings with lawmakers. One of her biggest successes was helping bring her representative, U.S. Congressman Steve Israel, into the Congressional COPD Caucus. By connecting care with public policy, Karen keeps her father’s memory alive through her advocacy.
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This article was written by Tara Shedor, MA.
As we recognize Pulmonary Rehab Week - our annual opportunity to shine a united spotlight on the benefits of pulmonary rehabilitation for our lung health community - we realize the idea of attending pulmonary rehab may also come with questions. If you've ever asked yourself, "How could I possibly find the energy to participate in pulmonary rehab?" You are not alone!
Dr. Farzeen Wadia helps provide some strategies that may be useful for assisting in the addition of a new physical activity such as pulmonary rehabilitation.
Dr. Farzeen Wadia is a Cardiopulmonary Physiotherapist from Pune, India and a passionate advocate and Captain for the COPD Foundation. She has extensive clinical experience working with people with COPD and other chronic respiratory conditions and is committed to empowering patients through education and support.
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This article was written by Kalli Mago.
Every day, caregivers help people living with chronic diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD is a term used to describe many chronic lung conditions. Symptoms include shortness of breath, cough, and fatigue. While there is no cure for COPD now, medical treatment can help people feel better. It can also keep symptoms from becoming worse over time.
Navigating life with COPD can be difficult. This is where caregivers come in, providing support in many ways.
The Role of Caregivers
Many people with COPD get help from family. Most often, caregivers are husbands, wives, or grown children.1 Other relatives, friends, and neighbors can also help. In the United States, there are more than 63 million family caregivers. On average, each caregiver spends 27 hours per week caring for their loved one.2
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This article was written by Bailey McCrary.
On Thursday, January 8, the House of Representatives Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee held a hearing to discuss 10 bills. These bills all focused on how patients could get care through Medicare. One of these bills was the Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform (SOAR) Act, the COPD Foundation's top priority bill about oxygen access.
We were excited to see the SOAR Act included in this meeting. Before the hearing, the COPD Foundation sent a letter to the subcommittee to support the bill. We also signed a joint letter with other oxygen advocacy groups and helped spread the word about the hearing to lung health supporters.
During the hearing, Thomas Ryan, president and CEO of the American Association for Homecare, spoke in support of the SOAR Act. He answered questions from lawmakers and explained why Medicare needs to change how it pays for oxygen services. These changes would help patients get the care they need to live full and active lives.
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