Understanding COPD

Illini Campus Offers Free Community Lung Awareness Program

Silvis, IL - 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, Illini Campus is hosting a free community education program to help shed new light on this fast-growing health problem. This Lung Awareness Program is from 5:30-8 p.m., on Tuesday, October 26 at the Larson Center, 855 Illini Drive, in Silvis, Illinois.

Participants will be able to take a free pulmonary screening and discuss disease management issues with a variety of health care professionals including Genesis family nurse practitioner Steve DePorter. Discussions include keeping airways clear, understanding your pulmonary screening numbers, medications and living with COPD.

Smoking causes approximately 80 to 90 percent of COPD cases. It's a slow 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 twelve-week training and conditioning program. Various classes are offered Tuesdays and Thursdays. In addition to respiratory therapists, the Pulmonary Rehab team includes an occupational therapist, an exercise physiologist, dietitians 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," says Ronda Gramling, CRT, 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."

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 309-792-6442.