Dublin's St James's hospital is unveiling an educational DVD today that will help sufferers of respiratory illness cope with their condition.
The Pulmonary Rehab film was developed by the hospital in Dublin to help people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) lead a full life.
COPD is an umbrella term that covers the conditions chronic bronchitis and emphysema. The onset tends to be gradual, with symptoms that include chronic cough, phlegm production and breathlessness.
Over 274,000 Irish people have COPD, and it accounts for 340,000 general practitioner visits per year and 10 per cent of all accident and emergency admissions.
Sinead Kealy, clinical specialist physiotherapist, St James's hospital, said the DVD would help sufferers to manage their condition and have a better quality of life.
The condition is the second most-deadly respiratory condition in Ireland, which has the fourth highest death rate from breathing-related illnesses in Europe.
Smokers are at the highest risk of developing the condition, and stopping smoking is the most effective measure of halting its progression.
PA