RESPIRATORY nurses at Airedale Hospital are supporting a national awareness day.

They are staging an information session offering advice to people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

The event takes place next Wednesday (Nov 21), World COPD Day.

Staff will be on the top landing above the main entrance volunteers’ cafe at the hospital, between 1pm and 3.30pm.

Anyone with COPD, a progressive lung disease caused by chronic inflammation, is invited to go along.

An estimated 900,000 people are diagnosed with the condition every year in the UK, but it is believed many more cases go undiagnosed.

Colette Scully, a specialist respiratory nurse at the hospital, is encouraging COPD patients to become more aware of their normal symptoms.

“This will help people recognise quickly when they are becoming unwell with a flare up,” she said.

“Our advice is that if there is a worsening of two of your normal symptoms over a couple of days, you should seek early advice from your GP or health professional involved in your care – or call 111 evenings and weekends.

“Early treatment can prevent deterioration and further lung damage and can avoid an unnecessary trip to hospital.

“We’re inviting people to visit us at our information stand to discuss how to ‘know your normal’ and to develop a basic self-management plan, plus other advice on COPD.”

World COPD Day is backed by the British Lung Foundation, which also provides advice, information and a general breathlessness test – plus tips for managing COPD – on its website at blf.org.uk.

The foundation has a series of support groups, including Breathe Easy Aire Valley, which meets monthly – except in December and January – at Steeton Methodist Church.

More details are available on the website or call 0300 3030 253.