Health is Wealth - programme 29 - 19nov2024

COPD is no longer just a smoker's disease. It can also be caused by environmental and occupational factors. Vaping and e-cigarettes are on the rise, and their long-term impacts are still unknown. Tomorrow is World COPD Day, and there will be pop-up information stands in Galway to raise awareness. COPD Support Ireland has a comprehensive booklet available on their website for more information. The Health Floss on Connemara Community Radio, a weekly program supported by funding from Commissioner Nauman with the television license fee. Oh Doctor, I'm in trouble. Well, goodness gracious me. For every time a certain man is standing next to me, a flash comes to my face and my pulse begins to race. It goes boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, boom, boom, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bode bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bode bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bode bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bodee, boom, bode I think COPD certainly has been associated with smokers, but what we're finding more and more, you know, smoking levels are actually on the decline, which is great. Now, vaping and e-cigarettes, unfortunately, are on the increase, but we're seeing rates and the incidence of COPD increasing, particularly in developing countries as well as developed countries, where people are exposed now to occupational substances, like you've mentioned, or maybe environmental factors. So, for example, in developing countries where people are cooking outdoors using what we call biomass fuels, using various fuels, maybe timber, you know, furniture and things like that to light their fires and their stoves. We're also seeing incidences there of COPD as well. So, it's no longer the smoker's disease. Unfortunately, it can be linked to those environmental and occupational factors as well. Now, there's a very small percentage of people with COPD where it is genetic. I don't know if you or your listeners would be familiar with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. So, there's a very small percentage of people who are born with this deficiency, and they also can present with COPD, and it's really important that you get diagnosed with that, and it's a very simple blood test, actually, which can reveal that for you. And again, if you're attending a GP with symptoms of breathlessness and cough, they might think to refer you on for those tests. Okay. And there is a test they do themselves, like there's a thing you can blow into just to see how much wind you can actually produce. And if you have something that likes them, they're tough to blow into, because I'm sure a lot of our listeners have been breathalysed. But even to blow into a breathalyser, it's not the easiest thing in the world. No, it's not that easy, actually. Now, it's not painful or anything. It's not uncomfortable. But it is, you need a little bit of effort, and you need to keep blowing for, in the case of these breathing tests that we are doing, for at least six seconds. And some people find that difficult, you know. Oh, yeah. So, it can be, yeah, there's a little bit of effort required for sure, yeah. But I'd say as well, Ciara, that we're probably all not breathing properly either. We're all kind of short-breathing, you know. I suppose everything is stressful and, you know, we're all busy. We need to learn how to breathe right into our tummies, you know, because it's amazing how, when you breathe a good heavy breath, how refreshing it is. But we're all probably just taking very short breaths, and that's not good either. But the other point you made as well is the fact that these e-cigarettes are becoming so much more common and the dangers. And that's the sad thing, like, I mean, the information is there, and how young people are still, and this new thing they're on about this cauliflower loan that will probably be a thing down the road. It's strange to think that there's so much information there now compared to what there used to be years ago, and the dangers are highlighted. But young people are still going mad on these vapes. Yes, you know, I think the message is out around smoking, you know, traditional smoking. I think everybody knows the dangers and the risks involved in smoking, and I think that message is certainly getting across. What we don't know, really, are the long-term impacts of vaping and e-cigarettes. And, of course, they're highly addictive. They're available on your high street. They smell nice, you know. The good news is that I think from 2025, they're going to be banned for purchasing e-cigarettes and vapes, which is certainly a step in the right direction. But I think what we don't understand yet is the long-term impact of these on people, particularly on young people's lungs, you know. It certainly doesn't help that they're highly addictive as well. You know, there'll be more information coming down the track on those too, but it's really important that we try and get that message out, that any smoking of any substance or any device really can be very, very damaging for your lungs. Absolutely. So, this event is going to take place in the Westside Shopping Centre in Galway between 10am and 2.30pm. That's tomorrow, isn't it? That's tomorrow. So, tomorrow is World COPD Day, and COPD.ie have made a massive push this week and in the last week or so. They have a bus going around the country. It's a roadshow to raise awareness of COPD, and they're visiting a lot of counties and cities as they go. And so, tomorrow, Galway COPD support group volunteers themselves will be organising a COPD and me pop-up information stand in the Westside Shopping Centre between 10am and 2.30pm. And also in the Galway Shopping Centre tomorrow between 9.30pm and 3pm. COPD Support Ireland have this fabulous booklet. If anybody is interested, you can log on to COPD.ie or ask one of your family to do that for you and request this booklet. It's so comprehensive. It includes information about COPD and how to get diagnosed and what does it mean if you've got a diagnosis, you know, in terms of living well with your condition. So, I would encourage people if they have any questions or any queries, if they're worried at all that they may have COPD. I would, you know, talk to your GP, pop along to the Westside Shopping Centre, Galway Shopping Centre tomorrow and look at COPD.ie for more information. Great stuff. Ciara, listen, thanks a million for taking time to chat to us this morning. Not at all. You're welcome. And it's great to chat to you. Take care. Have a great day. Thanks very much. Take care. Bye-bye. Bye-bye. There we go. That's Ciara Hamrahan there, respiratory physiotherapist and board member with COPD Support Ireland. And, as she said, COPD.ie for that information. And, of course, if you're in or around Galway, they'll be in the Westside Shopping Centre tomorrow. The Health Floss on Canamara Community Radio. A weekly programme supported by funding from Commission Amon with the television licence fee. Oh, Doctor, I'm in trouble. Well, goodness gracious me. For every time a certain man is standing next to me, a splash comes to my face and my pulse begins to race. It goes boom, boody, boom, boody, boom, boody, boom, boody, boom, boody, boom, boody, boom, boom, boom. Boom, boody, boom, boody, boom, boody, boom. Well, goodness gracious me.