Take Your Time! Have Your Lungs Checked!

Are you a smoker or former smoker over 40 years old? Do you regularly cough in the morning with phlegm and get short of breath more easily? If these symptoms apply to you, you may be suffering from a chronic lung disease known as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

Facts

COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) is currently the 4th leading cause of death worldwide, making it more common than asthma.

The most common symptoms are shortness of breath (or the feeling of not getting enough air), unusual sputum production (mucus blocking the airways), and chronic cough.

Everyday activities, such as climbing a few stairs or carrying a suitcase, can become very difficult as the disease progresses.

According to World Health Organization (WHO) projections, the total number of deaths from COPD is expected to increase by more than 30% over the next ten years if risk factors—especially exposure to tobacco smoke—are not addressed. However, a large portion of patients are unaware they have the disease, which is often diagnosed only after significant damage has already occurred.

Information Tools

To raise public awareness of COPD and promote early diagnosis, the Ministry of Health, the Luxembourg Society of Pulmonology, and the Luxembourg Association Against Respiratory Diseases launched an awareness campaign.

Radio spots and a TV commercial are being broadcast on national channels.

At-risk individuals, primarily smokers, are encouraged to measure their lung function in just a few minutes to assess the risk of developing chronic respiratory failure.