In November, Lakeview Regional Medical Center, a campus of Tulane Medical Center, will mark COPD Awareness Month with a special Better Breathers Club® support group meeting. Better Breathers Club® is a program of the American Lung Association. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema, is a progressive lung disease that makes it hard to breathe.
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, COPD affects as many as 30 million Americans, with 6.5% of Louisiana residents reporting they have been diagnosed with the disease. It is currently the third leading cause of death in the United States. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is often preventable and treatable. “Our Better Breathers support group is a great place to start if you are newly diagnosed, or if you have been living with COPD for years. It helps when you don’t feel alone or isolated, and it can have a positive impact on your health when you talk with others who understand what you are dealing with on a daily basis,” says Alvin Rogers Jr., MHA, BS, RRT, Cardiopulmonary Manager at Lakeview Regional Medical Center.
Lakeview Regional hosts a COPD support group on the second Thursday of every month from 1 p.m.-2 p.m. in the Magnolia Room. The group welcomes individuals with COPD, pulmonary fibrosis, and lung cancer, as well as their caregivers. Participants will learn better ways to cope with their condition, while getting the support of others in similar situations. Participants will take part in discussions, and practice new skills to improve daily activities. A trained facilitator leads the meetings, and features educational presentations on a wide range of relevant topics, including how COPD affects the lungs, medications, treatment options, supplemental oxygen, home healthcare, exercise, and air pollution. Register online at https://lakeviewregional.com/calendar/ or call (985) 867-4390.
Symptoms of COPD often go unnoticed, at first. As the disease worsens, symptoms include shortness of breath, chronic coughing or wheezing, production of excess sputum, or feeling unable to take a deep breath. COPD most often occurs in people age 40 and over with a history of smoking (either current or former smokers). However, up to 25% of people with COPD have never smoked. Long-term environmental exposure to things that can irritate the lungs, as well as certain genetic conditions, can also play a role. While there currently is no cure for COPD, early intervention and treatment may help manage the disease, and improve quality of life.