People are being encouraged not to miss out on the chance to find out how old their lungs really are by accepting the offer of a simple test.

Expert nurses from Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust’s (NCH&C) Community Respiratory Service will be offering lung age tests later this week to mark World COPD Day (November 20). They will be at Norwich Community Hospital’s main reception on Wednesday, between 9.30am – 2pm.

The test involves blowing into a handheld device which measures how strongly people can exhale. The measurements are then compared to the average readings for people of the same age.

For people whose ‘lung age’ reading is above their true age, it may indicate poor lung performance. This could be caused by Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), an umbrella term for conditions which affect the airways, such as emphysema and bronchitis.

Nationally, more women die each year from COPD than breast cancer, but patients don’t always recognise its symptoms. In Norwich alone, around 3,000 are thought to have COPD, but not know it.

Patients with the condition commonly experience a persistent cough, re-occurring chest infections and breathlessness during exercise. It is commonly caused by smoking, though it can also be caused by other factors, including environmental issues and insufficient lung development.

People whose results indicate poor lung performance will be referred to their GP for further investigation and support.

Lindi Staunton, NCH&C Respiratory Specialist Nurse, said: “COPD is a potentially debilitating condition which can have a real impact on people’s lives. There is support that we can offer to help ease some of the symptoms, but it is important that people seek advice quickly, before their condition worsens. Our lung age test can take as little as a couple of minutes but the results could benefit you for the rest of your life.”

 

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