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 Visits
Related 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
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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?
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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:
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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
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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
Support Groups
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
Education and Reference resources
available from the American Lung Association of MN
Please 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
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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
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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
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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 Minnesota
Our Mission: To prevent lung disease and promote lung
health
• 490 Concordia Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55103-2441
Phone: 651-227-8014
Fax: 651-227-5459
Email: info@alamn.org
Order Information
Greater Minnesota:
American Lung Association of MN Duluth
424 West Superior Street, Suite 202
Duluth, MN 55802
Phone: 218-726-4721
Fax: 218-726-4722
Email: info@alamn.org
Learn More Breathe Better
www.LearnAboutCOPD.org
or
NHLBI Health Information Center
P.O. Box 30105
Bethesda, MD 20824-0105
Phone: 301-592-8573
TTY: 240-629-3255
Fax: 301-592-8563
E-mail: NHLBIinfo@nhlbi.nih.gov
Web site: www.nhlbi.nih.gov
Thank You