Editor/Reporter Note: Related California dates and locations: Santa Ana (October 15), Carson (November 3), San Diego (November 11), Sacramento (November 14), Murrieta and Santa Barbara (November 15), and Stockton (November 17).
(Oakland, CA, August 12, 2008) This fall the American Lung Association of California is offering Respiratory Rallies in communities across the state to help people with COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) learn how to better control their disease and help slow its progression. Unfortunately, studies show too few adults who are at risk for the disease know about COPD, the nation’s fourth leading killer.
The latest study, published in the May 2008 issue of the journal Lung, found that most patients with or at risk of COPD have little to no knowledge of the disease. Authors Donna R. Parker, Roberta E. Goldman, and Charles B. Eaton concluded that “Participants perceived lung cancer as the primary lung disease of concern to their health and were largely unaware of COPD.”
COPD can literally take your breath away and the impact on quality of life is profound. An American Lung Association survey revealed that more than half of COPD patients say the disease limits their ability to work, do household chores, participate in social activities, and sleep
“The problem is COPD comes on slow, so you don’t realize it’s a problem until you can’t breathe,” says Don Perry, who has lived with COPD for more than 20 years. He volunteers for the American Lung Association of California in Santa Maria and has attended the Respiratory Rally. “So many people who have early signs of the disease could be working now to slow the progression if they only knew they had it.”
Lifestyle changes, exercise and medications can all help to slow the progression and improve quality of life today, a major focus of the Respiratory Rallies.
Daylong Conferences Empower Participants
The daylong conferences are for people with COPD and their caregivers. They feature medical speakers, motivational presenters, free educational materials and breakout sessions about a variety of topics. The rallies are planned and implemented by a team of health professionals, including physicians, nurses and respiratory therapists.
“Educating people on chronic lung disease makes a huge difference in quality of life,” said Santa Barbara pulmonary specialist Jeffrey Kupperman, MD, American Lung Association of California volunteer and past president of its medical section, the California Thoracic Society.
The Respiratory Rallies are also designed to encourage social interaction between people who share a common problem, helping to decrease feelings of isolation often associated with lung disease. Participants are able to talk about issues with others who understand their challenges and exchange solutions for common situations.
Respiratory Rallies are scheduled in Santa Ana on October 15, Carson on November 3, San Diego on November 11, Sacramento on November 14, Murrieta and Santa Barbara on November 15, and Stockton on November 17.
COPD Deaths Are Rising
COPD is a term that includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Inflammation and scarring cause the airways to become blocked, eventually making it hard to breathe. The disease kills more than 120,000 people in the U.S. each year. While deaths from other leading killers like heart disease and stroke are decreasing, COPD deaths are on the rise.
More than 12 million people in this country have been diagnosed with COPD and an additional 12 million likely have the disease and don’t know it, according to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. For more information on the impact of COPD, including statistics and economic costs, view the American Lung Association’s Lung Disease Data: 2008.
COPD is mostly caused by smoking, but other risk factors include air pollution, secondhand smoke and occupational hazards like chemicals, dust and fumes in the workplace. A rare form of emphysema is caused by an inherited deficiency of a protein called alpha-1 antitrypsin.
Symptoms of COPD include chronic cough or “smokers cough,” increased mucus, frequent clearing of the throat, and shortness of breath. Because COPD progresses slowly, people often ignore the symptoms and don’t seek medical treatment until the lungs are very damaged.
“Anyone who has risk factors for the development of COPD or who may be experiencing any of these symptoms should see their doctor and get a lung function test,” said Dr. Kupperman. “If you smoke, you need to quit.”
For more information about the Respiratory Rallies, visit www.respiratoryrally.org or call your nearest American Lung Association at 800.586.4872. That number also connects you to the American Lung Association’s free HelpLine, where you can get all your lung disease questions answered by a registered nurse or respiratory therapist. To learn more about COPD, visit www.californialung.org or www.LearnAboutCOPD.org.
For 100 years, the American Lung Association has been the lead organization working to prevent lung disease and promote lung health. Lung disease death rates continue to increase while other leading causes of death have declined. The American Lung Association funds vital research on the causes of and treatments for lung disease. With the generous support of the public, the American Lung Association is “Improving life, one breath at a time.” For more information about the American Lung Association or to support the work it does, call.800.LUNG.USA (800.586.4872) or visit www.californialung.org or www.lungusa.org
