Breathe Better

Article submitted by National Jewish. For more information about COPD, spirometry tests or other lung, allergy and immune system diseases, call the National Jewish LUNG LINE® at 1-800-222-LUNG or visit our website at www.nationaljewish.org

Many of us are concerned (rightfully) about our health and accordingly, will receive annual check-ups to alleviate those concerns. The usual areas that we concentrate on are our hearts, cancer and physical disabilities. However, the condition of our lungs is another area upon which we should focus our attention.

Breathe Better, Reduce Coughing and Infections

Do you have shortness of breath during simple activities?
Do you have a cough that won't go away?
Do you get a lot of respiratory infections?

How healthy are your lungs?
If you can answer yes to any of those questions, you need to find out how healthy your lungs are by having a simple spirometry test. During this test, you blow very hard and fast into a tube attached to a machine called a spirometer. It measures airflow into and out of your lungs. A computerized sensor calculates and graphs the results. It can show if your airway is blocked. It can help your physician determine why you have difficulty breathing, that nagging cough or get many respiratory infections. These can be symptoms of lung disease, so don't ignore them, call about a spirometry test today.

Many physicians believe that an annual spirometry test is as important as regular blood pressure checks. It can help your physician monitor your lung function, identify lung problems and decide on appropriate treatments. With annual spirometry information you and your physician can work together to develop an action plan that treats your symptoms and prevents future lung damage.

What do your symptoms mean?
If the symptoms described above are left unchecked, you may develop a lung disease called COPD. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, is a progressive lung disease that affects millions of people each year. It's caused by constant swelling in the airways and lung tissue and is very common in people who smoke or ex-smokers.

Lung damage can happen slowly over time. COPD is treatable and most patients find that during and after their treatment program their quality of life improves along with their lung health.

Take care of your lungs
Ask your physician about spirometry testing or call the National Jewish Community Outreach Program at 303-398-1873 to find out about our free spirometry events.