Page 12 - Hobe Sound Reflection - April '23

Page 12, Hobe Sound

clevelAnd clinic mArtin HeAltH news

Four Myths About COPD COPD is treatable, and if you have symptoms, there Myth 4: Exercise Is Too Hard If You Have COPD
are many options to help you feel better. Fact: If you find that shortness of breath makes it too
Breathing comes to us It’s important to quit smoking, eat a healthy diet, get difficult to be physically active, there are further steps
naturally and (usually) plenty of exercise and keep up on your influenza and you can take.
pretty easily. However, if pneumonia vaccines to prevent serious illness. Taking care Talk to your doctor if they recommend pulmonary
you have chronic obstructive of yourself in these ways, plus taking your medications, rehabilitation, where specialized respiratory therapists
pulmonary disease, better can sometimes help offset the complications of COPD. teach breathing techniques, exercises and proper nutrition
known as COPD, you have Your doctor will help tailor medications to your needs. to make living with COPD easier. Moderate exercise
trouble doing what connects Medications include inhalers that open your airways or will not hurt your lungs; in fact, it can lessen COPD
us to life – you can’t easily reduce airway inflammation, supplemental oxygen, and symptoms, strengthen your heart and reduce stress.
breathe. alpha-1-antitrypsin (A1AT) infusions if you have an Not Sure If You Might Have COPD?
The disease can affect inherited deficiency. PDE4 enzyme inhibitors can reduce Be aware of any symptoms. The first signs of COPD may
your airways, air sacs or inflammation in some patients, too. include a hacking cough with phlegm, shortness of breath,
both. It’s the third leading Myth 3: If You Have COPD, It’s Too Late To Quit wheezing when you breathe or tightness in your chest.
cause of death in the United Smoking If you notice any of these symptoms, see your doctor
States, according to the Fatima Pozuelo, M.D., Fact: It’s never too late to quit smoking. for a spirometry test, a simple outpatient procedure that
American Lung Association Pulmonary Medicine While the lung damage that characterizes COPD is assesses your lung function by measuring how much air
– affecting more than 11 cumulative, there’s still a lot of benefit to quitting because you’re able to breathe in and out.
million Americans and another estimated 24 million who it will slow the progression of the disease. And if you quit Call (844) 630-4968 to schedule an appointment, or
go undiagnosed. smoking early enough, near-normal lung function may return. visit ClevelandClinicFlorida.org/Lung to learn more.
If you were recently diagnosed with COPD, your mind
may be spinning with questions. Cleveland Clinic Florida
sheds light on four common myths about COPD and why voter news
it’s often misunderstood:
Myth 1: Only Smokers Get COPD
Fact: While COPD is often associated with smoking,
and rightly so, there are a substantial number of people Are You Primary Election Remember, Florida is
with this condition who never smoked. According to a closed primary state.
the National Institutes of Health, 42 percent of COPD Ready? This means you must be
sufferers are former smokers, 34 percent are current registered with one of
smokers and the rest – which make up 24 percent — never We are officially one year away from the Florida’s major political
lit a cigarette. Presidential Preference Primary (PPP) which will be parties to be eligible to
Myth 2: There’s No Treatment For COPD held on March 19, 2024. The last day to register to vote in the PPP.
Fact: There is a lot that can be done for COPD patients. vote or change your party affiliation for the PPP is If you need further
Feb. 20, 2024. information or have
presidential nominating process for Florida’s two questions, please contact
The Presidential Preference Primary is part of the
CCCC major political parties. Registered voters will cast their (772) 288-5637 or visit
the Elections Office at
our website at www.MartinVotes.gov.
votes for the nominee of their choice to represent their
Vicki Davis,
party for president on the General Election ballot in
November 2024. Martin County Supervisor of Elections