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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, January 9, 2014 | 24 `Nothing is worse than not being able to catch your breath' Simple test can diagnose a breath-taking disease that affects thousands breath, coughing and production of sputum (also called mucous or phlegm). "It's a preventable disease that progressively reduces breathing," said Madeley. The Lung Association is promoting using spirometry to diagnose COPD. "It's a simple breathing test," said Madeley, a respiratory therapist. "It measures how much air can be blown out of the lungs and how fast you can blow it out." COPD can take different forms Madeley said COPD can take a couple of forms. There's chronic bronchitis, with inflamed airways, phlegm and a wet cough. She said it could be emphysema, with damaged lung tissue, large air pockets and shortness of breath. She noted COPD is treatable. "Even with severe lung disease, with preliminary rehabilitation and learning how to manage the disease, you could live with a relatively good quality of life," said Madeley. She said 80-90 per cent of COPD cases are caused by cigarette smoking. "It's really important for someone diagnosed with COPD to find a way to quit smoking," said Madeley. She noted the Lung Association and the Canadian Cancer Society can provide information or resources for quitting smoking. "It's better to quit young before there's any permanent damage to your lungs," said Madeley. The Lung Association is promoting testing for people over 40 who smoke or who are ex-smokers. Madely said other COPD causes can include indoor and outdoor pollution, occupational exposure to irritants or chemicals or Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, which is a genetic form of emphysema. Regular exercise, supervised pulmonary rehabilitation programs, proper use of medications and regular flu vaccines and pneumonia shots can help those with COPD, she said. A 2009/10 study showed the Mississauga Halton Local Health Integration Network, which includes Oakville, had the lowest prevalence of COPD among Ontario LHINs. Halton Healthcare Services (HHS) has a program for COPD patients admitted at its hospitals in Oakville, Milton and Georgetown. "We do have a growing population of COPD patients," said Kathy Theroux the program co-ordinator. by Dennis Smith Special to the Beaver Health "Connected to your Community" A simple test is suggested to diagnose a disease that is, literally, a breath-taking problem for many thousands. A province-wide increase has been recorded in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a progressive lung disease that reduces airflow. "It's one lung disease we see increasing and it's a huge burden on the health care system," said Carole Madeley, director of respiratory health programs for the Ontario Lung Association. "It's affecting family life and caregivers and it's a disease that needs a lot more attention than it's getting." As of 2011, one in nine Ontario residents over age 35 -- 842,376 people -- were diagnosed with COPD. That's up more than 11 per cent from the 2008 total of 756,822. It's estimated that COPD results in 33,000 deaths annually in Ontario. COPD symptoms include shortness of Even with severe lung disease, with preliminary rehabilitation and learning how to manage the disease, you could live with a relatively good quality of life. It's really important for someone diagnosed with COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) to find a way to quit smoking. It's better to quit young before there's any permanent damage to your lungs. Carole Madeley Ontario Lung Association, director of respiratory health programs Isn't It About Time For A Hearing Test??? Come And Visit An Independent, Caring Family Hearing Aid Clinic All Services, Sales, Hearing Tests, Programming, Repairs, Batteries, Home Visits Jennifer Nolan Wendy Caswell Latest in technology, models and styles, blue tooth and accessories. Price ranges from $500.00 to elite levels. Over 25 y of know ears l e and exp dge erience. Lakeshore H E A R I N G Paramedical S E R V I C E S Established Since 1979 113 JONES STREET, OAKVILLE, ON · 905-827-2902 She's a registered nurse who is certified for COPD education and spirometry testing. Theroux visits patients and holds twice-weekly outpatient COPD clinics at Oakville-Trafalgar Memorial Hospital. "We try to help them learn self-management skills for their care," said Theroux. "It cannot be reversed, but if you catch it early, it can be managed." One hour of education, a 15-minute warm-up and one hour of exercise are included in sessions. "We've never had a shortage of people attending exercise classes," said Theroux. "With education, they have a better confidence level about the disease." After their 10-week clinic session, participants can join a maintenance exercise program at Glen Abbey Community Centre. "Persons with COPD don't want to do a lot of exercise, but you can't let them get de- conditioned," she said. Theroux said action plans for COPD outpatients include advance prescriptions to treat flare-ups at home. "We try to keep them from being admitted to hospital," she said. "They're more vulnerable and more prone to infection there." Theroux noted HHS and Halton Region have antismoking programs. "Even people who are 70 and smoke, if they quit, they can do better," she said. Theroux said they try to track those with COPD to see how they're coping. "Nothing is worse than not being able to catch your breath," she said. For more about respiratory rehabilitation, visit www.haltonhealthcare.on.ca. To speak to a Certified Respiratory Educator with the Lung Association, call 1-888344-LUNG (5864). For more information, visit www.on.lung.ca. Have questions? Save your breath. ASTHMA · INDOOR AIR QUALITY · COPD · QUITTING SMOKING · FLU SHOTS · ALLERGIES · RADON When you can't breathe, nothing else matters. TM