COPD can take your breath away
As we live a full and active life, most of us probably
take breathing for granted. But that can all change if
we have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
To help increase awareness of COPD, Battle Creek Health
System has been offering a physician-led series, scheduled
quarterly on Tuesday afternoons. This last session for
2009, titled 'Staying Well with Chronic Lung Disease'
is being offered on November 24, from 2-4 p.m. in the
hospital's Outpatient Conference Rooms 1 & 2.
The program is free to the public, but reservations
are required because seating is limited. To receive more
information or to register for this program, call toll
free
1-877-GO2-BCHS (877-462-2247).
Deborah Pierce, BS, RRT (pulmonary rehabilitation) and
Rebecca Rocho, RN, CDE (diabetes center) at Battle Creek
Health System will serve as the keynote speakers. Since
November is both COPD Awareness and National Diabetes
Months, the discussion will focus on both topics because
many pulmonary patients also face challenges related
to diabetes. Dr. Nadine Potempa will be available following
the program for general questions and support. A pulmonary
rehabilitation therapist will also be on hand to answer
questions and give a short tour of the outpatient pulmonary
rehab center.
"COPD is an extremely serious lung disease that
makes breathing much more difficult and is a leading
cause of death in the United States," says Dr. Potempa,
BCHS respiratory care medical director. "However
by working with your physician and making some lifestyle
changes, you can manage COPD, and symptoms can often
be improved."
The term COPD is used to describe two related lung disorders--chronic
bronchitis and emphysema. If you have COPD, you have
one or both of these conditions. With bronchitis, the
walls of the passages that carry air to your lungs become
swollen and scarred. Emphysema destroys the sacs in the
lungs that release air.
COPD makes it more difficult to breathe because your
air passages get smaller and your air sacs cannot empty.
Your airways may also become clogged with mucus, which
comes up when you cough.
Living well with COPD
Although there is no known cure for COPD, there are several
things you can do to manage it and improve your quality
of life. Early detection of the disease is important;
it lets you begin to take steps to keep COPD from progressing.
To help manage the disease:
Stop smoking. No matter how old you are, it's crucial
that you give up cigarettes. Even if you are 75, stopping
smoking will help you feel better.
Follow your doctor's advice about medications. You may
be given bronchodilators to help open airways, corticosteroids
to reduce inflammation in lungs and airways, or antibiotics
to fight bacterial infections that make COPD worse.
Talk to your doctor about whether using an oxygen tank
might help you breathe better.
Make sure the air in your home is clean and free of
smoke and fumes.
Ask your doctor about breathing exercises that can help
you when you are having trouble catching your breath.
Eat healthful foods, maintain a healthful weight, and
stay as physically active as you can.
For more information, contact Deborah Pierce at (269)
966-8438.
Battle Creek Health System, sponsored by two parent
organizations--Trinity Health (the fourth largest Catholic
health system in the U.S. with 21 hospitals, 9 nursing
homes, 19 senior house facilities, 8 home health care
agencies, and 4 hospices in Michigan alone) and BCHS
Community Partners, is accredited by the Joint Commission
on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. Battle
Creek Health System, a member of the Mercy Cancer Network,
is a recipient of the 2008 HealthGrades Orthopaedic Surgery
Excellence Award(tm) and 2009 Five Star rated for joint
replacement surgery and total knee replacement. HealthGrades
is a leading health care information company that provides
objective 'report card' ratings nationwide. BCHS provides
excellent health care for the community and promotes
wellness for the whole person with access and compassion
for all. For the latest medical information, visit the
BCHS web site at www.bchealth.com or call the BCHS Marketing
Department at (269) 966-8132.
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