Presenting Organization

• Event Name• Event Date

• Presenter Name, Title

Minnesota COPD Coalition

The American Lung Association of MN has launched the Minnesota COPD Coalition.

Our vision is to improve the health outcomes of patients with COPD by working with patients, caregivers, and the health care community to increase awareness, increase early diagnosis, and improve treatment and management.

The campaign is for men and women over age 45

• Especially those who smoke or have smoked • Those with risk associated with genetics or

environmental exposures• People who have been diagnosed with COPD• Health Care providers, particularly those in the

primary care setting

Why should we learn more about COPD?

Scope of COPD in Minnesota

Did You Know?• 70,600 Minnesotans over the age of 45

have COPD = (1 out of 25)

• 78% over 60 years old

• 56% Female

• 44% Male

Emergency Room VisitsRelated to COPD

• More than doubled (250%) between 1996 and 2005!

Hospital Charges for COPD

• Average hospitalization charge per patient was $17,066 !!

• Average length of hospital stay was 4.2 days

Today’s Session Will Cover

• Definition of COPD

• How COPD affects breathing

• Symptoms of COPD

• How you can find out if you are at risk

• Talking to your doctor

• Getting on the road to better lung health

• Resources

What is COPD?

• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

• Serious lung disease that over time makes it hard to breathe– Emphysema– Chronic Bronchitis

• Blocked (obstructed) airways make it hard to get air in and out

Did You Know?

• 4th leading cause of death

– Kills more than 120,000 people per year

• 2nd leading cause of disability

• 12 million+ have COPD

• Another 12 million may have it but don’t know it

How Does COPD Affect Breathing?

What Are the Symptoms?

• Coughing - “smoker’s cough”

• Shortness of breath

• Excess sputum or phlegm

• Feeling like you can’t breathe

• Can’t take deep breath

• Wheezing

Many people do not even know they have COPD…

• Many people attribute the changes or symptoms they are having to:– aging– being out of shape

• Talk to your doctor about any questions you may have.

Symptoms

When it’s hard to breathe, it’s hard to do anything

• People with COPD:– avoid activities that they used to do more easily– limit activity to accommodate shortness of breath and

other symptoms. Some activities include:

• Take elevator instead of stairs.• Park close by instead of walking.• Avoid shopping or other similar day-to-day tasks. • Stay home rather than go out with friends.

Are You At Risk?

• Smoking– Most common cause, however, as many of 1

out of 6 people with COPD never smoked

• Environmental exposure– Chemicals, dusts, fumes– Secondhand smoke, pollutants

• Genetic Factor– Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency

Getting a Simple Breathing Test

• Talk with your doctor!

• Simple breathing test– Spirometry

• Quick, painless and noninvasive

• Can tell if you have COPD and how severe it is

Treatments Can Help

• Lifestyle changes– Quit smoking. It’s never too late.

• Freedom from Smoking (www.lungusa.org)• www.smokefree.gov

• Medications• Pulmonary rehabilitation• Support Groups• Physical activity training• Oxygen treatment• Surgery

Start Today

• Talk with doctor about your risks, such as smoking and other exposures– Be honest !

• Tell your doctor about any symptoms

• Write down a list of questions before going to the doctor’s office

There Are Many Things You Can Do

• Quit smoking–Many new options available from your doctor

• Avoid exposure to pollutants and secondhand smoke

• Visit your doctor regularly

• Follow treatment advice

• Get annual flu and pneumonia shots

Common Myths–Don’t Believe Them

• “My shortness of breath is just old age.”

• “There’s nothing my doctor can do except tell me to quit smoking.”

• “If I rest more, it will get better.”

It All Begins With You

• Start today

• Be your own advocate–ask questions and seek information

ALAMN support groups• Huffers and Puffers

- East side group- meets in St. Paul on Second Tues. of ea. month, 1-3 pm

• Respiratory Health Club

- West side group- meets in Minneapolis on 3rd Thurs. of ea. Month 1-3 pm

• Duluth Better Breather Club

- First Tues. of ea. month

• Visit www.alamn.org for website listing of MN pulmonary rehab

or pulmonary support groups

Support Groups

Education and Reference resources available from the American Lung Association of MNPlease go to: http://www.alamn.org/copd/links.cfm

• COPD Programs and Resources:– List of MN resources and supports or people with COPD

• COPD Information Sheets:– “Are you at Risk”?– “Breathing Better with a COPD Diagnosis”

More resources available @ http://www.alamn.org/copd/links.cfm

• Scope of COPD in MN• MN Healthplan Covered Services for COPD• COPD Fact Sheet• “COPD Around the Clock”

– Non medical hints and suggestions to ease living with COPD

More resources available @ http://www.alamn.org/copd/links.cfm

• Communication Tip Sheet

• COPD Profiler– Helps you make health decisions

• Oxygen Quick Glance Guide

• COPD Guidelines Quick Glance Guide

• COPD Action Plan

American Lung Association Cessation Resources

• Behavior Modification Programs Freedom From Smoking® Clinic Freedom From Smoking® Self Help Manual Freedom From Smoking® Online

www.lungusa.org click on the FFS icon

• Lung HelpLine 800-LUNG-USA Staffed by Registered Nurses and

Respiratory Therapists Cessation counseling Questions answered regarding COPD,

asthma, allergies and other respiratory diseases Air quality and environmental health concerns

• Show your support

• Prescribe an appropriate medication

• Have your patient call 1-888-354-PLAN or Quitplan.com

Order Information:

• American Lung Association of MinnesotaOur Mission: To prevent lung disease and promote lung health

• 490 Concordia AvenueSt. Paul, MN 55103-2441Phone: 651-227-8014Fax: 651-227-5459Email: info@alamn.org

Order Information

Greater Minnesota:American Lung Association of MN Duluth424 West Superior Street, Suite 202Duluth, MN 55802

Phone: 218-726-4721Fax: 218-726-4722Email: info@alamn.org

Learn More Breathe Better

www.LearnAboutCOPD.orgor

NHLBI Health Information CenterP.O. Box 30105

Bethesda, MD 20824-0105Phone: 301-592-8573TTY: 240-629-3255Fax: 301-592-8563

E-mail: NHLBIinfo@nhlbi.nih.govWeb site: www.nhlbi.nih.gov

Thank You