Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is an umbrella term for a number of conditions that reduce lung function and capacity, including chronic bronchitis, asthma and emphysema.

Symptoms range from breathlessness, to coughing up phlegm, to fatigue.

The report highlighted that between 1525 and 1917 Newcastle residents present to hospital with one or more of these symptoms each year.

Edgeworth resident Garry Phillips was hospitalised and diagnosed with the disease in 2013. He experienced breathlessness during activities such as mowing the lawn, climbing stairs and playing with his grandchildren.

Mr Phillips smoked between 10 and 15 cigarettes every day for 40 years, which played a big part in his diagnosis.

"After I quit [smoking] and my breathing didn't improve like it should have, I knew something wasn't quite right," he said.

However, Mr Phillips is one of the lucky ones because he sought treatment.

While the disease is irreversible, treatment helps manage the symptoms.

During the past 12 months, Mr Phillips has participated in a randomised clinical trial at John Hunter Hospital, led by University of Newcastle Associate Professor Vanessa McDonald.

He was one of 50 people to test the latest treatment - Bretaris Genuair, or aclidinium bromide, which is delivered by an inhaler.

Professor McDonald said most people in the trial, including Mr Phillips, had responded well to treatment regardless of whether they had received the active or placebo medication.

"Many of them have done better than they would have if they'd done nothing about their condition," she said. "They're more educated."

Professor McDonald said she believed raising awareness of COPD was an important aspect of managing the disease.

"Irrespective of having a gamut of treatments available, people still end up in hospital. That's why it's important for people to know the signs."

■ Professor McDonald is looking for more people to participate in the trial. To assess eligibility, email her research assistant Amber Smith at amber.smith@newcastle.edu.au or phone 4042 0134.