COPD
AHPRA registered practitioners
1000+ Australian patients
Most affordable clinic
100% online and secure
Hair Loss
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a long-term lung condition that causes ongoing breathing difficulty and reduced airflow.
Symptoms may include shortness of breath, chronic cough, wheezing, and fatigue. While COPD is progressive, many people live well for years with the right management and monitoring.
COPD cannot be diagnosed through telehealth, as diagnosis requires lung function testing, physical examination, and sometimes imaging. However, telehealth plays an important role once a diagnosis is established. Our AHPRA-registered doctors can review worsening symptoms, help identify early signs of a flare-up, discuss inhaler use, and provide guidance on when in-person or emergency care is needed. We can also renew existing COPD prescriptions previously prescribed by your regular GP, where clinically appropriate.
Blood tests, oxygen testing, and lung function assessments must be done in person but our Telehealth doctors can prescribe them, if required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can COPD be diagnosed through telehealth?
No. COPD diagnosis requires in-person lung function testing such as spirometry, along with a physical examination. Telehealth cannot replace these assessments, but it can support ongoing management once a diagnosis has already been made.
Can telehealth help during a COPD flare-up?
Yes. Telehealth is often useful for early flare-up assessment. A doctor can review symptom changes, inhaler use, and warning signs, and advise whether medication adjustment or urgent in-person care is needed.
Can you renew my COPD medications online?
Yes, in many cases. If your COPD medications were previously prescribed by your GP and your condition is stable, our doctors may be able to renew scripts after a clinical review.
Do you perform lung function or oxygen tests?
No. Lung function testing, oxygen measurements, and imaging must be done at a clinic or hospital and cannot be performed via telehealth. But based on your condition and requirements, we can prescribe those tests.
Is telehealth suitable for long-term COPD care?
Telehealth works well for routine reviews, medication discussions, and symptom monitoring, but it does not replace regular in-person reviews required for comprehensive COPD care.
When should I seek emergency care for COPD?
You should seek urgent care if you experience severe breathlessness, chest pain, confusion, blue lips or fingers, or symptoms that worsen rapidly despite usual treatment.
