Susan Curtis
Programme Manager, NCP Respiratory
With the right steps and support, people with COPD and asthma can live well. Discover the resources that can help manage these lung conditions.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma are chronic lung conditions very common in the Irish population.They can influence quality of life and mental health, and increase the risk of heart disease and death. In Ireland, over 380,000 people are living with COPD, and 1 in 10 people is living with asthma.
Empowering people to live well with COPD and asthma
There’s no single ‘fix’ to COPD and asthma, but there are everyday steps that can support health and wellbeing.
- Know your triggers
- Take inhalers correctly
- Quit smoking/vaping – it’s never too late to stop
- Eat well: enjoy a mix of foods, guided by the healthy eating guidelines and food pyramid
- Be active, ‘use it or lose it’: choose activities you enjoy
- Pace yourself, prioritise daily tasks
- Check in with GP: regular reviews help identify issues early
- Protect yourself with vaccination
Aside from these steps, the following support is also available.
Chronic disease management
Started in 2020, GPs see COPD and asthma patients (with a medical or doctor visit card) twice per year when they are well to optimise care and prevent flare-ups. Contact your GP for further details.
There’s no single ‘fix’ to COPD and asthma, but there are
everyday steps that can support health and wellbeing.
Integrated hubs
There are 26 hubs providing consultant-led specialist multidisciplinary services for COPD and asthma in the community. They provide pulmonary rehabilitation, an exercise and education programme. Referral is through your physician.
Asthma Adviceline
This multidisciplinary service supports patients by providing care beyond clinic appointments. Healthcare professionals can refer patients directly, while patients can self-refer, to the Asthma Adviceline.
WhatsApp service
This service is a confidential way of asking questions about your asthma and receiving guidance from trained nurses. Videos on inhaler technique, infographics and webinars are shared on WhatsApp (086 059 0132).
COPD Support Ireland
COPD Support Ireland delivers self-management services through education, resources and local support and exercise groups. These groups meet once a week for an exercise class and to share the lived experience of COPD in a social, peer support group setting. Healthcare professionals can refer patients to the local support and exercise group, or patients can self-refer on the COPD Support Ireland website.
Additional support
Learn more about living well with COPD and asthma with these additional resources:
- HSE Vaccinations
- Healthy Eating
- Physical Activity
- Singstrong or contact [email protected]
- COPD Support Ireland
- Asthma Society of Ireland
- https://www.asthma.ie/patient-e-referral
- Pulmonary Rehabilitation Patient Exercise Booklet
- COPD Self-care Plan
- Suite of Integrated Respiratory Videos (2024)
- Nutrition in COPD
- AZ COPD
- Keeping Well with a Lung Condition Webinar
- My Asthma Action Plan
- AZ Asthma
- Living Well Programme
Learn more about COPD Support Ireland or self-refer by visiting www.copd.ie.
