Summary
Approximately one in two smokers will develop Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) at some point in their lives, but it can also be contracted without a history of smoking. In Finland, 5–10% of the adult population have COPD. The characteristic symptoms include shortness of breath or reduced performance under exertion, prolonged coughing and excess mucus especially in the mornings, and as the disease progresses, reduced oxygen saturation of blood and a tendency to accumulate carbon dioxide, weight loss and muscle loss. COPD is the most com¬mon disease leading to long-term and continuous home oxygen therapy. COPD can be moderate (slightly limits normal life), severe (shortness of breath even during minimal exertion), or very se¬vere (shortness of breath in rest). Even though the obstruction cannot be reversed, persons with COPD can in-fluence the progression of the disease as well as their prognosis and ability to function to a significant degree.
In COPD self-care, quitting smoking is the most relevant thing to do. Physical exercise is a key part of the treatment of COPD. Regular exercise reduces the risk of hospitalisa¬tion during flare-ups and increases quali¬ty of life and improves the prognosis. The associated diseases usually do not prevent that. In the guide, the benefits of physical activity are listed, and there are appropriate instructions for exercise for people with COPD, as well as advice on how to deal with shortness of breath. Endurance training and strength training are especially recommended. In addition, the guide includes tips for coping with everyday chores and COPD. The current care pharmacotherapy, nutrition, vaccines, and oral care recommendations are presented in the guide. As an important part of pulmonary rehabilitation, the guide also gives instructions for at-home mucus removal.
Rehabilitation is available via the social security institution in Finland (Kela) without cost for the rehabilitee.

Relevance
(The same as in the literature review inquiry of “Guide to Asthma” by The Organisation for Respiratory Health in Finland/Hengitysliitto):
The Organisation for Respiratory Health in Finland (Hengitysliitto) is a non-profit organisation doing national advocacy work on respiratory health in Finland. The organisation provides up-to-date, evidence-based information on pulmonary diseases and their treatment, arranges courses, events etc., and cooperates widely with other organisations, the health care system, and the parliament.
“The Organisation for Respiratory Health in Finland includes 80 local respiratory health associations and two national associations: Sisäilmasta sairastuneet (Organisation for Persons with Indoor-Air-Induced Conditions) and Suomen CF-yhdistys (the Finnish CF Association). The total membership of the Organisation numbers nearly 23,000.
Individual members always join a local respiratory health association, which offer diverse activities and services at the local level, such as:
• Peer support: various peer support groups and meetings
• Members’ nights, clubs and trips
• Exercise groups for children and adults
• Information: public lectures and events, guides, advice and guidance
• Support for a non-smoking lifestyle: help with withdrawal symptoms and visits to educational institutes
• Cooperation with health care and other organisations
• Local advocacy and supervision of interests
• The Organisation for Respiratory Health in Finland supports the activities of the respiratory health associations by producing information and various support services.”
(www.hengitysliitto.fi/en/members/local-associations/ cited 7.4.2023)
The publications provided by the Organisation for Respiratory Health in Finland reach a notably large public. They are written in Finnish, Swedish, and many also in English, to serve the patients, their relatives and the health care professionals. The patients in the health care system are commonly advised to the associations’ services, for example the exercise groups.