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Smoker's cough 'could be sign of serious disease' | Smoker's cough 'could be sign of serious disease' |
(about 9 hours later) | |
Smokers are being urged not to dismiss the early signs of a debilitating disease as simply a smoker's cough. | Smokers are being urged not to dismiss the early signs of a debilitating disease as simply a smoker's cough. |
In a new campaign, Public Health England says too many smokers remain unaware of the risks of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). | In a new campaign, Public Health England says too many smokers remain unaware of the risks of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). |
COPD, which narrows the airways, can leave people struggling to do simple tasks such as climbing stairs. | COPD, which narrows the airways, can leave people struggling to do simple tasks such as climbing stairs. |
Figures show more than 1m people in England are living with it, with nine in 10 cases caused by smoking. | Figures show more than 1m people in England are living with it, with nine in 10 cases caused by smoking. |
COPD is actually the umbrella term for a number of serious lung conditions including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. | COPD is actually the umbrella term for a number of serious lung conditions including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. |
No cure | No cure |
People with the disease have difficulties breathing, primarily due to the narrowing of their airways and destruction of lung tissue. | People with the disease have difficulties breathing, primarily due to the narrowing of their airways and destruction of lung tissue. |
Typical symptoms include breathlessness when active, a persistent cough and frequent chest infections. | Typical symptoms include breathlessness when active, a persistent cough and frequent chest infections. |
But in the Public Health England (PHE) advertising campaign, experts say smokers often dismiss the early signs as a "smoker's cough" but, by continuing to smoke, the condition can get worse and damage their quality of life. | But in the Public Health England (PHE) advertising campaign, experts say smokers often dismiss the early signs as a "smoker's cough" but, by continuing to smoke, the condition can get worse and damage their quality of life. |
While there is no cure, stopping smoking, tailored exercise programmes and medication can slow the progression of COPD. | While there is no cure, stopping smoking, tailored exercise programmes and medication can slow the progression of COPD. |
To raise awareness about the disease, PHE's short film will run on the internet. | |
It features former Olympic athlete Iwan Thomas, whose mother was recently diagnosed with COPD, doing an experiment with smokers to see what COPD is like. | It features former Olympic athlete Iwan Thomas, whose mother was recently diagnosed with COPD, doing an experiment with smokers to see what COPD is like. |
Mr Thomas said: "I've never fully understood COPD or the everyday consequences, but when the simple things like climbing the stairs, making a cup of tea or walking to the bus stop become impossible, it is serious. | Mr Thomas said: "I've never fully understood COPD or the everyday consequences, but when the simple things like climbing the stairs, making a cup of tea or walking to the bus stop become impossible, it is serious. |
'The year to quit' | 'The year to quit' |
"After years of smoking, it is great that my mum is making 2016 the year she quits and I'd urge anyone who smokes to do the same." | "After years of smoking, it is great that my mum is making 2016 the year she quits and I'd urge anyone who smokes to do the same." |
Prof Dame Sally Davies, England's chief medical officer, added: "COPD is a serious lung disease and is not particularly well known. | Prof Dame Sally Davies, England's chief medical officer, added: "COPD is a serious lung disease and is not particularly well known. |
"The single best thing a smoker can do to reduce their chances of developing this devastating disease and prolong their life is to stop smoking." | "The single best thing a smoker can do to reduce their chances of developing this devastating disease and prolong their life is to stop smoking." |