Understanding COPD
Genesis Offers Free Community Lung Awareness Program
Davenport, IA - Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a smoking-related respiratory illness commonly known as chronic bronchitis, emphysema or "smoker's lung." An estimated 24 to 30 million Americans have COPD, but only about 16 million have been diagnosed.
Genesis Medical Center and Illini Hospital are hosting a free community education program to help shed new light on this fast-growing health problem. This Lung Awareness Program is from 6:30-8:30 p.m., on Wednesday, April 14 and from 6:30-9:15 p.m. on Thursday, April 15, at the Adler Health Education Center, lower level of the Genesis Heart Institute, 1236 E. Rusholme Street.
On Wednesday participants will be able to take a free pulmonary screening and discuss disease management issues with a variety of health care professionals including Akshay Mahadevia, M.D., Medical Director of the Genesis Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program. Discussions on keeping airways clear and understanding your pulmonary screening numbers will be the focus that night.
On Thursday, April 15, Pam DeNardo, a motivational speaker and executive board member of Emphysema Foundation for Our Right to Service (EFFORTS) will be the program's keynote speaker. She was diagnosed with COPD at the age of 53 and now uses her personal experience to help educate Americans about the nation's fourth leading fatal disease – killing more than 117,000 people annually. She will be sharing her personal story from 7:30-8:15 p.m. Genesis family nurse practitioner Steve DePorter and pulmonary rehabilitation patient Chris Wigley will facilitate other discussions on medications and living with COPD.
Smoking causes approximately 80 to 90 percent of COPD cases. It is a slowly progressive disease characterized by a lung's decreased ability to maintain the body's oxygen supply and remove carbon dioxide. Symptoms include a chronic cough, excess mucus production and shortness of breath. Although there is no cure for COPD, treatments are available to alleviate the symptoms.
To reduce and control symptoms, sufferers should live a healthy lifestyle by exercising, avoiding cigarette smoke and other air pollutants, and eating well.
The Genesis Pulmonary Rehabilitation Center offers an integrated, comprehensive team approach to treating patients with chronic lung disease, which limits a patient's ability to breathe effectively and may cause difficulty in performing routine tasks. The program helps patients learn how to take a more active role in the management of their lung disease.
Pulmonary rehabilitation also offers an intensive four-week training and conditioning program, a support group and smoking cessation clinics. Various classes are offered Monday through Friday. In addition to respiratory therapists, the Pulmonary Rehab team includes occupational therapists, physical therapists, pharmacists, dietitians, recreational therapists and medical social workers. Through treatment with medications and lifestyle changes, patients can return to a more active lifestyle.
"Many people don't realize that this program is available," said Claudia Tarr, RRT, Pulmonary Rehabilitation Coordinator. "We see so many people who regret that they didn't come to us sooner. If we can get patients into our program early, they can make more informed decisions and improve their daily lives."
Genesis is the first and only Quad City area program to be certified by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation. This certification recognizes programs that meet rigorous and essential requirements for standards of care.
The Lung Awareness Program is a free community program. For more information or to register, call Genesis On Call at 421-2000 or 800-383-2575. For more information about the Genesis Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program, call 563-421-1769.