COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
Understanding, Diagnosing and Treating this common lung disease is the beginning of a more comfortable, active and enjoyable life.
Endeavor is a comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facility offering Pulmonary Rehabilitation for people with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Endeavor can help you live a longer and more productive life through our Pulmonary Therapy program. Our respiratory and physical therapists will work one-on-one with you throughout your therapy program.
WHAT EXACTLY IS COPD?
Chronic means it won’t go away
Obstructive means partly blocked
Pulmonary means in the lungs
Disease means sickness
Chronic Lung disease is an ongoing problem that keeps you from breathing normally. Many conditions are considered chronic lung disease, Including: emphysema, chronic bronchitis, chronic asthma, restrictive lung disease (pulmonary fibrosis) and cystic fibrosis. These conditions obstruct or damage the airways in your lungs and make it difficult to breathe normally.
While many environmental factors can contribute to COPD the majority of cases are caused by long-term smoking and excessive exposure to second hand smoke.
COPD FACTS
- COPD kills 120,000 Americans per year
- COPD is the 4th leading cause of death in the U.S.
- COPD is the 2nd leading cause of disability
- 12 Million Americans are diagnosed with COPD
- An estimated 12 million more are undiagnosed!
- COPD is not curable, but it is treatable
COPD SYMPTOMS
- Shortness of breath
- Lingering or persistent cough
- Wheezing
- Chest tightness
- Feeling tired (fatigued)
WHAT TO DO
If you have any of these symptoms you need to have a lung screening as soon as possible to determine if you have COPD. Ask your doctor or call Endeavor to find out more about a lung screening.
Endeavor Therapy and Sleep Center offers a free lung spirometry. Call us to schedule a screening today and get back to a better quality of life.
If you have been diagnosed with a chronic lung disease you can help your self by getting an order from your physician to do Pulmonary Rehabilitation.
Pulmonary Rehabilitation is a program that is tailored to your needs to help you improve your symptoms and slow the damage to your lungs. The program is designed to help you achieve your highest level of functioning and includes education, exercise conditioning, breathing retraining, energy-saving techniques, smoking cessation, bronchial hygiene and support.
While chronic lung disease cannot be cured, you can regain a higher level of energy and perform daily activities with greater ease with the proper treatment. Left untreated COPD will progress and lung function will be reduced.
TREATMENT
Endeavor Therapy and Sleep Center will tailor a treatment program to fit your condition and needs. Treatment may include:
- Breathing retraining
- Endurance and Strength training
- Smoking Cessation (including laser treatment www.laserwellnesscenter.com)
- Medications
- Psycho Social Support
- Education
Endeavor accepts Medicare, Medicaid and all major insurance coverage. We will be happy to let you know what your coverage is before you even walk in the door.
Part of our mission is to help heighten the awareness and diagnosis of COPD so patients can begin to enjoy a better quality of life. We have a lung support group that meets monthly and is designed to help patients and their families cope with COPD.
Questionnaire – Could I have COPD?
- Do you cough several times most days? Yes ___ No ___
- Do you bring up phlegm or mucus most days? Yes ___ No ___
- Do you get out of breath more easily than others your age? Yes ___ No ___
- Are you older than 40 years of age? Yes ___ No ___
- Are you a current smoker or an ex-smoker? Yes ___ No ___
If you answered yes to three or more of these questions, you should ask your doctor if you might have COPD and should have a simple breathing test. If COPD is found early, there are steps you can take to prevent further lung damage and that will make you fell better!