COPD

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Improving air quality for relatives with respiratory illnesses

Air pollution can be a serious problem for all of us, but for those living with a lung condition or respiratory illness it poses an even greater risk. If you have a relative living with a respiratory condition, then increasing the air quality in your home could help ease their symptoms and make their living conditions much more comfortable.

Indoor air pollution 

Poor indoor air quality has been linked to various lung diseases such as asthma, COPD, allergies and lung cancer. People who already have any one of these conditions are more likely to be affected by indoor air pollution. Believe it or not, we actually spend on average about 90% of our time Indoors, so improving indoor air quality is an important aspect of staying healthy. 

Combating mould and damp problems

Air pollution can come from a variety of different sources such as open fires and heaters, cleaning products and building materials and furniture. Mould and damp problems are also a significant issue that can have similar deleterious affects on health. If you have a mould and damp problem this will definitely need to be addressed and the situation improved. 

A dehumidifier will help to significantly reduce a damp problem by sucking excess moisture out the air, while any surface mould can be removed with a damp cloth, you can these use a sealant to cover over the area to help prevent it from coming back. Also, keeping a good air flow and circulation around your home will help to reduce the amount of mould spores in the air.

Heating in the winter

When it comes to heating in the winter, a ventless fireplace is a friendlier option when it comes to air quality as it will reduce the amount of pollutants that go into the air in comparison with wood burning or vented gas fireplaces. Otherwise using the central heating to warm the place up is the safest bet.

Cleaning products

Some of the more powerful common household cleaning products can be hazardous to health, the chemicals inside these products can irritate the lungs and nasal passage which could worsen symptoms of asthma or trigger allergies. There is a whole range of eco-friendly and organic products now which are just as effective but without the cost to health.

Keeping the place dust free

Dust is another major culprit for triggering respiratory problems, it can build up to quite high levels in your home without you realising. To combat this it is important to regularly hoover and mop the floors, dust surfaces and to wash all pillow cases and bed sheets. It is best to hang up washing to dry outside, keeping it indoors can make your place damp and will adversely affect the healthy regulation of air flow.

Putting plants around the home

Buying some plants for the home and placing one in each room is a must. Plants are really important to air quality, they remove pollutants from the air by absorbing them through their leaves and roots. Some of the best plants for improving air quality include spider plants, ferns, ivy, peace lilies and aloe vera.

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World Environment Day: Animation Highlights Increased Health Threat Climate Change Poses

Asthma
Asthma

On World Environment Day (Wednesday, 5th June), a new video from GSK highlights the effects that climate change can have on the public’s respiratory health and the difference small changes, such as shifting to low-carbon inhalers, where appropriate can make against climate change.

The average person breathes in 25,000 times a day1 and this animation shows the journey of harmful pollutants, like nitrogen dioxide, pollen and dust particles, into our lungs.

When breathed in, these types of pollutants can be carried deep into the lungs where they can cause inflammation and restrict uptake of oxygen into the blood2. Latest figures show that there are currently 40,000 pollution-related deaths a year in the UK3 and that a smaller lung volume in children was associated with higher annual air pollutant exposure4.

Climate change can make the effects of these kinds of pollutants worse, for example because of adverse weather conditions including longer pollen seasons, more intense heatwaves and particles in the air caused by droughts, dust and sandstorms5.

While this problem causes concerns for all, these adverse conditions can affect our lungs and trigger symptoms6,7 for more than 12 million Brits affected by lung conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD)8 and young children – 86% of which across the UK are growing up breathing hazardous levels of toxic air9.

GSK is using this new video to raise awareness of certain small changes that can be made to help people reduce their contribution towards climate change.

Switching aerosol deodorants to roll-ons and disposing of certain household objects correctly can all make a real difference. Even the inhalers we use to treat lung conditions can make a positive difference to the environment because some do not contain greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change10.

For more information on inhalers people can visit lowcarboninhalers.co.uk or ask their doctor, nurse or pharmacist next time they see them about their asthma or COPD. Patients should always discuss the best treatment options for them with an appropriate healthcare professional.

References:

1.       British Lung Foundation, 2019. How your lungs work [online]. Available from: https://www.blf.org.uk/support-for-you/how-your-lungs-work/about-the-lungs [Accessed 15th May 2019].

2.       UK Air Information Resource, 2019. Effects of air pollution [online]. Department for Environmental Food & Rural Affairs. Available from: https://uk-air.defra.gov.uk/air-pollution/effects [Accessed 15th May 2019].

3.       RCP (2016) Every breath we take: the lifelong impact of air pollution. Available at: https://www.rcplondon.ac.uk/projects/outputs/every-breath-we-take-lifelong-impact-air-pollution [Last accessed March 2019]

4.       Mudway, I.S., Dundas, I., Wood, H.E., Marlin, N., Jamaludin, J.B and Bremner, S.A., 2018. Impact of London’s low emission zone on air quality and children’s respiratory health: a sequential annual cross-sectional study. The Lancet Public Health [online], 4 (1), 28-40.

5.       D’Amato, G., Cecchi, L., D’Amato, M and Annessi-Maesano, I., 2014. Climate change and respiratory diseases. European Respiratory Review [online], 23: 161-169.

6.       Asthma UK, 2019. Weather [online]. Available from: https://www.asthma.org.uk/advice/triggers/weather/?chromeless=true [Accessed 15th May 2019].

7.       British Lung Foundation, 2019. Looking after your lungs in hot weather [online]. Available from: https://www.blf.org.uk/support-for-you/hot-weather?chromeless=true  [Accessed 15th May 2019].

8.       British Lung Foundation, 2019. Lung disease in the UK – big picture statistics [online]. Available from: https://statistics.blf.org.uk/lung-disease-uk-big-picture#numbers-living-uk [Accessed 15th April 2019].

9.       Edwards, H and Wellesley, L., 2019. Healthy air for every child: a call for national action [online]. London: Unicef.

10.   Hillman et al. 2013. Inhaled drugs and global warming: time to shift to dry powder inhalers. BMJ 2013;346:f3359 doi: 10.1136/bmj.f3359 (Published 28 May 2013).

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London Pollution: New Video Shows Why Ultra Low Emission Zone is Essential to Capital’s Health

Image result for youtube london pollution

As London’s new Ultra Low Emissions Zones (ULEZ) came into effect as of Monday, 8th April, a new animation highlights the effects that air pollution has on the public’s respiratory health.

Latest figures show that there are currently 40,000 pollution-related deaths a year in the UK[1].

While this problem causes concerns for all, it can be even more problematic for the 12 million Brits affected by lung conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD)[2] and young children – 86% of which across the UK are growing up breathing hazardous levels of toxic air[3].

In fact, children living in higher areas of pollution have been found to have approx. 5% reduced lung capacity over a 5 year period[4].

ULEZ, hailed as a massive step forward in tackling the toxic problems across the capital, will replace the current ‘T-Charge’. Charges will run from midnight to midnight seven days a week and will operate within the same areas as the current Congestion Charging Zone (CCZ).

It will cost £12.50 for most vehicle types, including cars, motorcycles and vans (up to and including 3.5 tonnes). Heavier vehicles, such as lorries (over 3.5 tonnes) and buses/coaches (over 5 tonnes) will incur a charge of £100.

The average person breathes in 25,000 times a day[5] and this animation, created by GSK, shows the journey of the harmful pollutants into our lungs. Pollutants that we breathe in, such as nitrogen dioxide, particles and carbon monoxide, can be carried deep into the lungs where they can cause inflammation and restrict uptake of oxygen into the blood[6].

In the UK, car exhaust fumes are one of the biggest causes of air pollution alongside burning fuels, industrial processes[7] and household cleaning products[8].

The ULEZ will help reduce harmful exhaust gases that contribute to illegal levels of nitrogen dioxide across London boroughs. It is expected to expand to the inner London area within the North and South Circular roads from 25th October, 2021.

Reference:

[1] – https://www.rcplondon.ac.uk/projects/outputs/every-breath-we-take-lifelong-impact-air-pollution

[2] – https://statistics.blf.org.uk/lung-disease-uk-big-picture

[3] – https://downloads.unicef.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Healthy-Air-for-Every-Child-A-Call-for-National-Action-1.pdf?_ga=2.19632184.1097848019.1550227440-1122362203.1550227440

[4] – https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpub/article/PIIS2468-2667(18)30202-0/fulltext

[5] – https://www.blf.org.uk/support-for-you/how-your-lungs-work/about-the-lungs

[6] – https://uk-air.defra.gov.uk/air-pollution/effects

[7] – https://www.blf.org.uk/support-for-you/air-pollution/where-does-it-come-from

[8] – https://www.blf.org.uk/support-for-you/indoor-air-pollution/about-indoor-air-pollution

ULEZ TfL information – https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/ultra-low-emission-zone

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An ex-smoker forced to give-up work because of a chronic lung condition has spoken of his experience testing a “life-changing” new gadget

COPD

COPD

Martin Chesney has had Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) for more than five years.

The condition became so debilitating that he agreed to take part in a trial, testing a pioneering device which alerts people with COPD that they are about to suffer a life-limiting attack.

Speaking ahead of World COPD Day on Wednesday, 15 November, 63-year-old Martin Chesney, said: “Having to give up work because of ill-health was a pretty big blow and suffering from this condition has taken its toll. I was willing to try anything to help me overcome these lung attacks, which COPD sufferers are prone to and can sometimes mean a stay in hospital. In very extreme cases suffering a lung attack can be fatal.”

The pioneering device is a very simple to use urine test that works in a similar way to a home pregnancy test and has been developed by UK company Mologic. The patient study was carried out by the test developers and the NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre – a partnership betweeen Leicester’s Hospitals, the University of Leicester and Loughborough University.

Once it becomes available the simple device, , could save the NHS at least £40 million a year by preventing unnecessary hospital admissions and the over prescribing of drugs to treat suspected attacks.

The condition makes it hard to breathe because of narrowing airways and damage to the lungs. In the UK, three million people are living with COPD and each year the condition causes 115,000 emergency admissions to hospital and 24,000 deaths.

Mr Chesney, of Edmondthorpe, Leicestershire, who gave up his maintenance fitter and machinist job early shortly after his diagnosis in 2012, usually suffers two lung attacks a year.

Earlier this year he tested the kit for 30 days, he said: “It is a benefit no-end as you are able to predict a possible attack, which allows you to take medicine before it becomes nasty.

“When I have an attack it’s dreadful, I develop a really bad cough and can black-out from coughing. I can’t lie down to sleep and I often resort to sleeping downstairs in an armchair for as long as it lasts. It is very life-limiting. I look forward to the day I have this kit, which if it can prevent an attack will really be life-changing.”

The project was funded by Innovate UK which awarded the team £2 million through the Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI).

The simple test, which can be carried out at home, has already passed the first stage of the development process and could be adopted for use by the NHS within four-to-five years.

Professor Christopher Brightling, who is a NIHR Senior Research Fellow and Clinical Professor in Respiratory Medicine at the University of Leicester, led the clinical study at the NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre, based at the Glenfield Hospital.

Professor Brightling said: “This simple urine test will help someone with COPD to determine whether the onset of more symptoms really is the beginning of a severe lung attack, or simply a variation in their background symptoms which will get better on their own. This will help to make better treatment decisions and could hugely improve lives, especially as severe lung attacks can be devastating.

“We believe the Headstart urine test shows real promise, particularly as it can be carried out by patients at home. Making sure we treat patients early when needed but also stop unnecessary treatment will be of great benefit to patients and could save the NHS at least £40 million a year – greatly reducing the costs for an over-stretched NHS.”

Chief Scientific Officer and Mologic Co-Founder, Professor Paul Davis, who was also behind the original Clear Blue home pregnancy test, said: “People with COPD have vulnerable lungs so we wanted to find a way to help them monitor and control their condition better. The genius of this test is it’s so simple to use and extremely cost effective. The fact it can be used at home means we’re helping to empower people to manage their own health.

“There’s a valuable, clear but encoded message written in the substances, which we call biomarkers, when they are excreted into the urine through the kidneys. You just need to know what to look for and how to interpret the message into plain language.”

The most important cause of COPD is smoking, but past exposures to fumes, chemicals and dust at work can also contribute to causes of the condition.

Millions of pounds have already been spent on establishing the basic principles of urine testing for relevant disease biomarkers. This was also made possible from close collaboration with the GSK Respiratory R&D Clinical Discovery Team (including access to the ECLIPSE cohort sample bank) and several NHS clinicians and scientists.

COPD symptoms often don’t appear until significant lung damage has occurred, and they usually worsen over time, particularly if smoking exposure continues

Other signs and symptoms of COPD may include shortness of breath, especially during physical activities, wheezing, chest tightness and a chronic cough that may produce mucus.

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Majority of the nation’s asthma are incorrectly disposing of their inhalers




Inhaler

Inhaler

Most of the nation’s asthma sufferers are incorrectly disposing of their inhalers and unintentionally contributing to carbon emissions increase, a new research reveals.

While most local authorities can recycle certain plastics, some inhalers contain plastics and glasses that are not easily recyclable.




A recent research from pharmaceutical company GSK uncovered that over half of the Brits suffering from asthma surveyed were simply disposing of their inhalers in the general waste. A third were using their kerbside recycling service, wrongly thinking they will be recycled.

Progress has been made in the recycling of respiratory inhalers, with over one million being recycled over the last five years as part of a national scheme. However, as the research shows, there is still far to go when it comes to correctly disposing of them.

To ensure respiratory inhalers are recovered and recycled correctly, the pharmaceutical company launched a scheme which allows people to bring their used inhalers into a pharmacy for recovery.

By taking an inhaler to a local participating pharmacy, the plastic and aluminum parts can be used in other products, and any potentially harmful greenhouse gasses can be collected and reused elsewhere, for example in car air conditioners.

Matt Wilson, GSK’s Head of Global Environmental Sustainability, explains: “The great thing about the scheme is that anyone can walk into a participating pharmacy, hand in their inhaler and know that it will go off to be recovered, reused and recycled in a responsible way.”

A further added benefit of the scheme is that it encourages patients to visit their pharmacy, giving them the opportunity to seek advice directly from a pharmacist to better understand their condition, improve their inhaler technique and get the best benefits from their medicine.
Around 73 million inhalers are being used every year in the UK.