Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States, and more than 12 million people in the United States are diagnosed with the disease. An additional 12 million people have the disease and don’t know it.
In recognition of World COPD Day, Cardiopulmonary Services at Newman Regional Health is having a COPD screening to help catch the disease early, said Karen Schell, director. World COPD Day is on Nov. 19, and events are held across the world to raise awareness of the disease. This year’s theme is “Breathless not Helpless!”
COPD “is a serious lung disease that over time, makes it hard to breathe,” according to the U.S. Department Health and Human Services. COPD is referred to as emphysema or chronic bronchitis. The disease hinders breathing by making it hard to get air in and out of the lungs. Smoking is the leading cause of COPD. The disease also is caused by environmental and genetic factors.
Symptoms of COPD include constant cough; shortness of breath; excessive sputum production; feeling like you can’t breathe; not being able to take a deep breath and wheezing.
“It’s the type of disease that you don’t know you have until you can’t breathe,” Schell said.
Schell said early screening is the key, and it provides baseline numbers for physicians.
“We want people to get screening done early, just like you would measure blood pressure,” she said.
Once a person has COPD it can only be maintained, not reversed, Schell said, adding that COPD can occur in younger people as well.
“We would sure like to take care of it before it gets any worse,” Schell said. “You don’t know you have it until you become short of breath, and then it’s too late.”
Schell added that COPD diminishes quality of life. A person who once used to be able to stand and wash dishes may have to use a stool, and other everyday tasks such as making a bed becomes nearly impossible to manage because of shortness of breath.
The Cardiopulmonary Services Department will have free pulmonary screenings on Nov. 19 in the main lobby of Newman Regional Health from 9 to 11 a.m. and 2 to 6 p.m. The screening will include blood pressure checks, carbon monoxide screening and a spirometry screening. Spirometry is a non-invasive breathing test that measures the amount of air a person can blow out of the lungs.
There also will be flu shots provided from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Main Entrance Lobby off of 12th Avenue , Entrance C. Medicare and Medicaid will be accepted, or $20 for self-pay.
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