COPD is a chronic and progressively obstructive lung disease, which is characterized by inflamed and permanently constricted airways. Cough with sputum and respiratory distress under stress are common symptoms that in later stages are even present at rest. COPD is a widespread disease. In Germany alone t about 8 million people are affected - this corresponds to almost 10 percent of the country’s population.

To combat this severe illness, Sparkasse Hildesheim has donated EUR 10,000 to the MHH Plus Foundation. This amount will be dedicated to improve patient care in COPD.

Since cigarette smoke is the most important risk factor for COPD, MHH's clinic of pulmonology will use this grant to lay the foundation for a structured smoking cessation project. So far, the clinic does not offer such a program. The project will be co-funded by the German Center for Lung Research and the clinic of pulmonology. The project manager Meike Jungen, physician at the clinic of pulmonology, explains: "The aim is to offer a proven successful smoking cessation program to COPD patients. With the help of the Sparkasse donation, we can complement drug and nicotine replacement therapies with behavioral therapy seminars. " The program will be offered preventively to smokers who have not yet been diagnosed with COPD.

Just recently, the clinic of pulmonology presented itself at the MHH's open house. With the help of a large lung model, Meike Jungen and colleagues explained the lung's function and the development of different lung diseases to the interested visitors. Also present that day was the student initiative "Education against Tobacco" (agt), which offers a prevention program for tobacco consumption for young people far beyond the borders of Germany. The clinic for pulmonology, as a partner in the German Center for Lung Research, maintains a close cooperation with the Hanoverian local association of agt. The planned smoking cessation program is an important addition to their prevention activities.

Text: BREATH / CD

Picture: BREATH