The presentation covered the definition of COPD, how COPD affects breathing, symptoms of COPD, how a person can find out if he/she is at risk, talking to a doctor, getting on the road to better lung health, and COPD resources available. COPD is a serious lung disease that over time makes it hard to breathe. Blocked (obstructed) airways make it hard to get air in and out. COPD is the 4th leading cause of death and kills more than 120,000 people per year. COPD is the 2nd leading cause of disability. Twelve million plus people have COPD and another 12 million may have it but don’t know it.
Symptoms of COPD include coughing (smoker’s cough), shortness of breath, excess sputum or phlegm, feeling like you can’t breathe, can’t take deep breath, and wheezing. They explained when it’s hard to breathe; it’s hard to do anything. People with COPD avoid activities that they used to do more easily. COPD patients limit activity to accommodate shortness of breath and other symptoms. Some activities include: take elevator instead of stairs, park close by instead of walking, avoid shopping or other similar day-to-day tasks, and stay home rather than go out with friends.
Fridley and Labig asked the audience, “Are You at Risk?”, and said that smoking is the most common cause; however, as many as 1/6 people with COPD have never smoked. Risks are environmental exposure, including chemicals, dusts, fumes, secondhand smoke, and pollutants, and a genetic factor, Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency.
The speakers urged those in attendance to talk with their doctors! A simple breathing test, spirometry, which is quick and noninvasive, can tell a person if he/she has COPD and how severe it is. Treatments can help COPD. Fridley and Labig stressed the importance of quitting smoking and that it’s never too late (www.smokefree.gov). Other treatments are medications, pulmonary rehabilitation, physical activity training, oxygen treatment, and surgery. Fridley also demonstrated pursed lip breathing and had attendees practice this technique too.
Some of the themes of the evening were “Start Today” and “It All Begins with You”. The crowd was encouraged to talk with his/her doctor about risks, such as smoking and other exposures, and to tell the doctor about any symptoms. Labig said, “Be sure to write down a list of questions for your doctor. Be your own advocate-ask questions and seek information.” He explained there are many things a person can do such as quit smoking, avoid exposure to pollutants and secondhand smoke, visit doctor regularly, follow treatment advice, and get annual flu and pneumonia shots.
According to Fridley, there are common myths about COPD and she said, “Don’t believe them.” She gave some examples of common COPD myths, “My shortness of breath is just old age. There’s nothing my doctor can do except tell me to quit smoking. If I rest more, it will get better.”
The presentation ended with the sharing of the following COPD resources: www.LearnAboutCOPD.org or NHLBI Health Information Center, P.O. Box 30105, Bethesda, MD 20824-0105, phone: 301-592-8573, TTY: 240-629-3255, fax: 301-592-8563, email: NHLBIinfo@nhlbi.nih.gov; website: www.nhlbi.nih.gov. For more information about the Wayne HealthCare Lifestyle Enhancement Center (LEC), which includes pulmonary rehabilitation, cardiac rehabilitation, healing hearts clinic and tobacco cessation programs, call 937-547-5917. For more information about Versailles Health Care Center’s physical, occupational, and speech therapy programs, call Facility Rehab Director, Shannon Condon, at 937-526-5570.
Congratulations to Romaine Berger of Versailles. He was the winner of the door prize giveaway, good for a free entrée, compliments of Michael Anthony’s at the Inn.
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