More than 1,000 people in Bermuda could be living with a chronic lung disease that severely limits their lives.

The condition is called Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and the Bermuda Hospitals Board marked International COPD Day with an open house in the lobby of King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

Hosted by Debbie Barboza of the hospital's Asthma Education Centre, it was designed to respond to questions members of the community had about the disease and also to raise awareness.

Mrs. Barboza also held a press conference, where she explained that many people confuse COPD symptoms – shortness of breath, coughing and bringing up phlegm – with asthma.

"Many people have COPD and don't know it. Most don't know and they think they have asthma. That's reversible but chronic lung disease is not," she said.

"Some think their symptoms are just a natural part of the ageing process, however, COPD is a life-threatening disease that will get worse if not treated.

"Once they've got COPD it doesn't go away. But though you might be breathless you are not helpless."

Symptoms of COPD include a cough that won't go away, bringing up phlegm or mucus when you cough and getting out of breath when you do physical activity such as walking up stairs, walking the dog, or getting dressed.

It's usually caused by smoking or exposure to fumes or dusty places, and is frequently diagnosed when a person is in middle-age or older.

It is not, however, passed from person to person and it can be managed through doses of medication, often by using inhalers.

Physician Gordon Campbell added that persons could help themselves by quitting smoking.

Dr. Cambell said: "Thankfully what I am seeing in my practice is that more and more people in Bermuda are giving up smoking.

"COPD is primarily a disease of smoking. Certainly, we as physicians need to educate them on giving up smoking and we have to be aware of the disease COPD.

"It sneaks up on patients and it sneaks up on doctors. Patients need to know this is a condition that is manageable."