World COPD Day is Wednesday 15th November 2023. This event is organised by the 'Global initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease', GOLD and is a great opportunity to raise awareness and care of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
According to the NHS, 2 million people in the UK are diagnosed with COPD (3% of population), but more than double remain undiagnosed.
Keeping active is so important for people living with COPD, it can improve breathing and reduce the severity of some symptoms, such as shortness of breath and low energy levels. If you have COPD and are considering increasing your physical activity, please contact your healthcare professional who can help you decide what type of and amount of exercise is safe and appropriate for you.
This year, at Air Liquide Healthcare we were committed to promoting mobility and what better emphasis than supporting the 02&Cie association, funded by Philipe Poncet, a COPD patient on 24/7 oxygen therapy. The 02&Cie association organises extraordinary sporting events for people who need respiratory assistance.
On September 20th the final phase of the COPD tour 2023 took place, 100km in Switzerland. Philippe Poncet was part of the peloton for the full race, using oxygen therapy throughout.
COPD is a chronic respiratory disease characterised by chronic inflammation of the bronchi and decreased lung capacity, causing difficulty breathing (dyspnoea) especially during exertion. The management of the condition consists of reducing symptoms, slowing the progression of the disease, and helping improve the quality of life and independence of affected individuals.
In its advanced stages, COPD could lead to chronic respiratory failure requiring additional oxygen supply.
During the tour
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Participants during the tour, in Switzerland landscape
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Philippe Poncet, and Oxygen equipment during the tour
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Left to right: Jimmy Cooney, Pr. Sein Gaine, Dr. Annkathrin Zur Heiden, M. Stephen Roche, Jonas Aerts, Rory Connor, Hai Chau Cournède, Eric Echabe, M. Philippe Poncet (funder of O2&Cie, COPD patient), Dr. Christian Seznec, Dr. Marlène Petit. Before: M. Claudio Chiappucci.
This achievement can be a wonderful source of inspiration for patients and carers when managing their life day by day.
References
Spruit MA, Burtin C, De Boever P, Langer D, Vogiatzis I, Wouters EF, Franssen FM. COPD and exercise: does it make a difference? Breathe (Sheff). 2016 Jun;12(2):e38-49. doi: 10.1183/20734735.003916. PMID: 27408645; PMCID: PMC4933612.
Shin KC. Physical activity in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: clinical impact and risk factors. Korean J Intern Med. 2018 Jan;33(1):75-77. doi: 10.3904/kjim.2017.387. Epub 2017 Dec 28. PMID: 29334725; PMCID: PMC5768551.
Images sources: O2&Cie and Air Liquide Healthcare
