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. 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.