Mahaska Health Partnership Observes Respiratory Care Week

Mahaska Health Partnership

Mahaska Health Partnership

MAHASKA COUNTY – Have you been experiencing breathing problems? There is a chance that your lungs are not functioning at normal levels. In honor of National Respiratory Care Week October 20-26, Mahaska Health Partnership is focusing on lung health and pulmonary rehabilitation services offered on our campus.

According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, pulmonary rehabilitation cannot cure lung disease or eliminate your breathing problems completely. Instead, it allows you to make the most of the lung function you have. MHP Director of Cardiopulmonary Services Earl Howard explained, “Pulmonary rehab improves our patient’s quality of life, gives them better daily function, increases their ability to exercise and decreases their lung disease symptoms.”

Pulmonary rehabilitation can address breathing complications related to bronchitis, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), Cystic Fibrosis, Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis and Sarcoidosis.

During rehabilitation, patients learn exercise training and different breathing techniques. They also get tips on conserving energy, nutritional advice and coping mechanisms.

Howard said one of the first things done to measure lung performance is pulmonary function testing. This involves a series of tests that measure how efficiently lungs intake and expel air, as well as how they circulate gases such as oxygen through the body.

According to Howard, “It is never too early to get pulmonary function tests. The tests are simple, and they allow us to find out how severe your breathing troubles are. From there, we can figure out a care plan that best fits your needs.

“We stress the importance of these tests, and Respiratory Care Week is a great time to focus on lung function. Many individuals experience breathing problems at some point in their lives, and we work hard to address them. While symptoms may never completely disappear, we can lessen their effects and help people live a happier, healthier life.”

If you have been experiencing breathing problems and want to have a pulmonary function test, contact Cardiopulmonary Services at 641.672.3226.

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, visit www.mahaskahealth.org.

Posted by on Oct 22 2013. Filed under Local Businesses, News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.

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