A new app, which aims to help people affected by a serious lung disease, has been launched.

COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is an umbrella term for a number of chronic lung disorders, including bronchitis and emphysema. It is a progressive, disabling condition caused by a narrowing of the airways, which affects the ability to breath properly. Smoking is the main cause.

An estimated 380,000 people in Ireland are affected.

The new app, which is supported by COPD Ireland, aims to help people make small but positive changes in their lives, which will help them manage the disease more efficiently.

It helps people to learn more about COPD and also helps them to track their health behaviours, such as smoking and exercise.

Those using the app can also share their progress reports with healthcare professionals and loved ones.

"For those who have COPD, the smallest of tasks can seem like a huge struggle to overcome, but people can make small changes to their everyday lives that will help them. By using the app every day, we hope that our members can make changes in a positive way and be motivated to stay on the right track and thereby improve the management of their COPD," commented COPD Ireland chief executive, Damien Peelo.

Also speaking about the new app, Prof Tim McDonnell, of the HSE COPD Programme, emphasised the importance of catching this disease in its early stages.

"It is crucial to catch COPD as early as possible for effective treatment. People should look out for early-stage symptoms such as frequent coughing sometimes with phlegm, and mild breathlessness from physical work or brisk walking," he said.

He noted that COPD is a major contributor to hospitalisations and costs the State around €70 million per year.

"It has a detrimental impact on the quality of patients' lives. However, even severe cases can be improved with treatment and correct management. It is important that those who have mild COPD in particular manage their symptoms to avoid their condition worsening over time, and this app can help make changes towards a healthier life easier," Prof McDonnel said.

The Volari COPD app was created by Novartis and can be downloaded for free from the iTunes App Store and Google Play.