During our time at Miss World we have many rehearsals where we can wear more casual attire. I have chosen to use this as an opportunity to bring awareness and highlight Irish charities by wearing a different t-shirt representing each of them for every rehearsal.
Today I'm representing the COPD Ireland
COPD Support Ireland is a charity set up to support all those living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). They are Ireland’s only national COPD support and advocacy body, bringing together local support groups from around the country, to help those living with, and caring for someone with, COPD. They were founded in 2013 by patients working with the support of the Irish Thoracic Society, COPD National Clinical Programme, and health care professionals.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a disease that makes it hard to empty air out of your lungs. This is because the airways get smaller leading to airflow obstruction. This can result in shortness of breath or tiredness because you are working harder to breathe.
COPD is a term used to include chronic bronchitis, emphysema or a combination of both conditions.
Chronic bronchitis is caused by inflammation and increased mucus (phlegm) in the breathing tubes (airways). Because of the swelling and extra mucus the inside of the breathing tubes become smaller causing obstruction in airflow.
Emphysema is caused by damage to the air sacs (alveoli) of the lung. Normally there are more than 300 million air sacs in the lungs. If the walls of the air sacs are damaged they lose their elasticity and trap air. This causes extra air to remain in the lungs after you breathe out. The extra effort required to breathe results in shortness of breath.
Most people with COPD are smokers or have smoked in the past. Sometimes COPD is caused by working or living for many years in an environment where there is exposure to smoke, dust or other fumes. COPD mostly affects those over the age of 35. An inherited condition called ALPHA – 1 – ANTITRYPSIN deficiency can also cause COPD but this is quite rare.
To live well with COPD requires incorporating a number of different elements into your daily life. Things such as incorporating breathing exercises, good nutrition, exercise classes, speaking with your multidisciplinary team, oxygen usage and much more. To find out more about all of these elements of living well with COPD please see the link below:
