Thousands of Brits living with deadly lung condition and don’t know it – the signs to look for
THOUSANDS of Brits are living with a deadly lung condition and don't know it, research has revealed.
Experts have called for better access to diagnostic tests and care for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Diagnosis rates have dropped by half in the last year with charities warning this could be down to the difficulty in getting an appointment.
Research conducted by the British Lung foundation found that 46,000 people had symptoms of COPD such as coughing and wheezing, but many not have been diagnosed.
COPD refers to a group of lung conditions that cause breathing difficulties and most people who suffer from COPD are middle-aged or older adults who are smokers.
Data from the charity states that one in five people who have been diagnosed with the condition had symptoms when they were under the age of 45.
One in 10 people with the condition – around 130,000 – have never smoked and more than half (55 per cent) waited at least six months to speak to their GP about their symptoms.
In order to be diagnosed with COPD people need to have a specific test called spirometry and patients will also be asked about their smoking habits and their lifestyle in general.
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This has to be carried out by a GP or a respiratory nurse.
During the coronavirus pandemic people were asked to work from home and virtual and triage GP appointments became the norm.
Surgeries were cancelled and postponed and many people were not able to receive essential treatment.
During this time GPs were also advised to suspend using spirometry because of fears around the spread of Covid-19 at the beginning of the pandemic.
The British Lung Foundation says that this, coupled with difficulty in people getting appointments, could account for the 51 per cent drop compared to those diagnosed in 2019.
One in five people (22 per cent) who have been diagnosed with COPD say their symptoms were initially mistaken for a chest infection or cough.
What is COPD and what are the symptoms?
COPD is caused when the lungs become inflamed, damaged or narrowed and the main cause is smoking.
While it's rare, the condition can also affect people who have never smoked - but you are more likely to have it if you do.
Some cases of the condition could be a result of a genetic problem, or by exposure of harmful fumes or dust.
Many people do not realise they have the condition as the symptoms can start mild before getting gradually worse.
These symptoms can start to limit your activities - but treatment can help you control the condition.
What are the symptoms?
- Increased breathlessness - becoming more apparent when you are active
- A persistent chesty cough with phlegm - many people will live with this and not suspect COPD as it may feel similar to a smoker's cough
- Frequent chest infections
- Constant wheezing
Alison Cook, Director of External Affairs at Asthma UK and the Chair of the Taskforce for Lung Health said people need to understand that breathlessness is not normal - even as you get older.
She said: "We need to make sure that GPs are looking at people’s health records and calling them in if they have been for repeated visits for cough or breathlessness and its essential that they use spirometry to make an accurate diagnosis.
“Every day there are more and more people living with COPD who could, without treatment, end up as an emergency case, an avoidable tragedy for that person and for an already stretched NHS.”
The British Lung Foundation says undiagnosed COPD can cause someone’s health to deteriorate, cause high levels of flare-ups (episodes where people's breathing gets worse, and they can end up in hospital) which can cause lasting damage and lead to a greater chance of dying from the disease.
Sarah Woolnough, Chief Executive at the British Lung Foundation said the pressure on the NHS will only intensify if action is not taken.
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She said: “It’s heart-breaking that people with COPD are being left without a diagnosis and the treatment they need. The growing numbers of undiagnosed people with COPD is a ticking time bomb for the NHS.
"Before the pandemic struck, treating people with COPD that had a delayed diagnosis put huge pressure on our health system.
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"With Covid-19 having such a dramatic impact on diagnosis rates, the pressure will only intensify if action is not taken.
"It is vital that the NHS urgently ensures that GPs are supported to deliver life-saving diagnostic testing right now to start to address the backlog of undiagnosed patients", she added.
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