Lung Disease
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Both Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and asthma are managed at local health clinics.
General Practitioners across Andalucia usually carry out the initial exams to determine if COPD could be a problem. From there patients are supposed to receive help managing their disease and even recuperating some of their lung capacity through rehabilitation whenever possible. However, once again we must add the disclaimer that you are dealing with a public system where everyone is trying to get their piece of the pie and doctors are working very hard to serve everyone equally and fairly. Therefore, you may need to insist in order to get what you need.
Your family doctor at your local clinic may consider you to be at risk for COPD if you smoke or have had chronic bronchitis or other respiratory problems. However, remember that it is up to the doctor to decide whether or not to order tests (again, you can always be persistent if you feel the need).
Once it has been determined or confirmed that you have COPD your doctor should include you in a treatment programme that theoretically has been standardised across the region in order to ensure equal treatment for patients throughout Andalucia. This means that doctors are supposed to follow a protocol that has been mandated by the regional health service.
In addition to tests and treatment you should be offered education about your condition and possibly rehabilitation sessions. The latter depends on whether doctors deem damage done to be irreversible.
For more information on lung disease, you can also read about asthma.
