Mahaska Health Partnership Educates on COPD
Mahaska Health Partnership
MAHASKA COUNTY – According to the National Institutes of Health, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) takes the lives of an estimated 120,000 individuals in the US each year. Mahaska Health Partnership wants you to know how to reduce your risk and available treatment options.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) states that COPD is a group of diseases including emphysema, chronic bronchitis and sometimes asthma that cause blockage of airflow and breathing related problems.
“Smoking is a common cause of COPD,” said MHP Family Nurse Practitioner Diane Nutter. “Other factors that can cause COPD include asthma, air pollutants, genetics and respiratory infections.”
The CDC explains that COPD is characterized by coughing and wheezing, respiratory infections and low blood oxygen levels. COPD is treated with medication, antibiotics and supplemental oxygen depending on a patient’s symptoms.
“Every year the number of people diagnosed with COPD increases, making it the third leading cause of death in the United States,” explained Nutter.
COPD is progressive, meaning it continues to get worse as time goes on, making it hard for the person diagnosed to breathe and participate in daily activities. If you have symptoms of COPD or have been diagnosed and develop new or worsening symptoms, it is important to contact your healthcare provider immediately.
“There are many options for managing this lung disease, including treatments and medications,” shared Nutter. “It is important to work with your primary care provider on a treatment plan that best fits your condition.”
In some cases, additional respiratory care may be necessary. “At MHP, we provide Pulmonary Rehabilitation services, which help improve a patient’s ability to perform daily activities and his or her overall quality of life. We also work to reduce the frequency and duration of hospitalizations, so the patient can continue to lead a healthy life in the comforts of their own home. Our ultimate goal is to get a person’s COPD to a manageable state that lessens the interruptions to daily living. While COPD cannot be cured, with the proper treatment, it can be controlled.”
Mahaska Health Partnership, located in Oskaloosa, is a non-profit health system accredited by the Joint Commission. It is guided by its mission to provide exceptional customer service and health improvement, linking the science of medicine with the humanity of compassionate care. For more information about how Mahaska Health Partnership is making healthcare personal, call 641.672.3240 or visit www.mahaskahealth.org.
