Page 5 - Martin Downs Bulletin - April '23
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Martin Downs, Page 5
cLeveLand cLinic Martin HeaLtH news
Four Myths About COPD million Americans and another estimated 24 million who It’s important to quit smoking, eat a healthy diet,
go undiagnosed. get plenty of exercise and keep up on your influenza
Breathing comes to us If you were recently diagnosed with COPD, your mind and pneumonia vaccines to prevent serious illness.
naturally and (usually) may be spinning with questions. Cleveland Clinic Florida Taking care of yourself in these ways, plus taking your
pretty easily. However, if sheds light on four common myths about COPD and why medications, can sometimes help offset the complications
you have chronic obstructive it’s often misunderstood: of COPD.
pulmonary disease, better Myth 1: Only Smokers Get COPD Your doctor will help tailor medications to your needs.
known as COPD, you have Fact: While COPD is often associated with smoking, Medications include inhalers that open your airways or
trouble doing what connects and rightly so, there are a substantial number of people reduce airway inflammation, supplemental oxygen, and
us to life – you can’t easily with this condition who never smoked. According to alpha-1-antitrypsin (A1AT) infusions if you have an
breathe. the National Institutes of Health, 42 percent of COPD inherited deficiency. PDE4 enzyme inhibitors can reduce
The disease can affect sufferers are former smokers, 34 percent are current inflammation in some patients, too.
your airways, air sacs or smokers and the rest – which make up 24 percent — never Myth 3: If You Have COPD, It’s Too Late To Quit
both. It’s the third leading lit a cigarette. Smoking
cause of death in the United Myth 2: There’s No Treatment For COPD Fact: It’s never too late to quit smoking.
States, according to the Fact: There is a lot that can be done for COPD patients. While the lung damage that characterizes COPD is
American Lung Association Fatima Pozuelo, M.D., COPD is treatable, and if you have symptoms, there cumulative, there’s still a lot of benefit to quitting because
– affecting more than 11 Pulmonary Medicine are many options to help you feel better. it will slow the progression of the disease. And if you quit
smoking early enough, near-normal lung function may return.
Myth 4: Exercise Is Too Hard If You Have COPD
Fact: If you find that shortness of breath makes it too
difficult to be physically active, there are further steps
you can take.
Talk to your doctor if they recommend pulmonary
rehabilitation, where specialized respiratory therapists
teach breathing techniques, exercises and proper nutrition
to make living with COPD easier. Moderate exercise
will not hurt your lungs; in fact, it can lessen COPD
symptoms, strengthen your heart and reduce stress.
Not Sure If You Might Have COPD?
Be aware of any symptoms. The first signs of COPD
may include a hacking cough with phlegm, shortness of
breath, wheezing when you breathe or tightness in your
chest.
If you notice any of these symptoms, see your doctor
for a spirometry test, a simple outpatient procedure that
assesses your lung function by measuring how much air
you’re able to breathe in and out.
Call (844) 630-4968 to schedule an appointment, or
visit ClevelandClinicFlorida.org/Lung to learn more.
voter news
Are You Primary Election
Ready?
We are officially
one year away from the
Presidential Preference
Primary (PPP) which
will be held on March
19, 2024. The last day
to register to vote or
change your party
affiliation for the PPP
is Feb. 20, 2024.
The Presidential
Preference Primary is
part of the presidential nominating process for
Florida’s two major political parties. Registered voters
will cast their votes for the nominee of their choice
to represent their party for president on the General
Election ballot in November 2024.
Remember, Florida is a closed primary state. This
means you must be registered with one of Florida’s
major political parties to be eligible to vote in the PPP.
If you need further information or have questions,
please contact the Elections Office at (772) 288-5637
or visit our website at www.MartinVotes.gov.
Vicki Davis,
Martin County Supervisor of Elections
Your ad
could be here!
Call
561-746-3244
See answer in this paper.
