Exacerbations or flare ups of COPD are mainly caused by respiratory viruses and bacteria which lead to increased inflammation and chest infections. The two vaccinations recommended for patients with COPD are: Influenza (flu) vaccine. Pneumococcal vaccine. Research has shown that vaccination can reduce the number of exacerbations of the disease and reduce hospital admissions.
These are some of the respiratory team members that you may meet. However, not all teams will have access to the same members, this will depend on where you live.
An exacerbation or flare up is as a worsening of your symptoms from your usual stable state, which is not within your normal day-to-day variations. It can start suddenly. There will be a discussion about how you manage with breathlessness on a day to day basis and how you cope if you have a flare up […]
In chronic bronchitis exposure to an irritant over many years causes inflammation in the lungs which leads to the following changes: The smooth muscle in the airway becomes thicker and narrows the breathing tubes (airways). The narrowing is permanent and cannot be reversed. You may feel breathless because your lungs and muscles are working harder […]
