Merja Kanervisto

People with Copd in Their Everyday Life: Living with the Chronic Illness Merja Kanervisto

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major public health problem. COPD is a chronic, slowly developing progressive disease characterised by the limitation of airflow in the airway. Cigarette smoking is the most common cause of COPD. Its symptoms often affect the functional capability of sufferers in many ways. Shortness of breath is a continuous worsening symptom of COPD and occurs particularly when taking physical exercise. Modern treatment objectives for COPD include e.g. improving the quality of life. Functional capability means coping in one's everyday life. The biopsychosocial model (BPS model) used in this book is a general model that posits physical, psychological and social factors. All play a significant role in human functioning in the context of disease or illness. The BPS model offers one way of looking at an individual as a whole in connection with health care or treating illnesses. This book provides a framework the health care professionals to truly understand the challenges that people with COPD face in the attempt to integrate a chronic illness into their lives.