- Respiratory Rally in Newport Beach: November 7, 2009
- Respiratory Rally in Carson: November 20, 2009
October 2009: This fall, the American Lung Association in California offers Respiratory Rallies in Newport Beach and Carson to help people with COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) learn how to better control their disease and help slow its progression.
The Rally in Newport Beach is scheduled for Saturday, November 7, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, 1 Hoag Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92663.
The Rally in Carson is scheduled for Friday, November 20, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Carson Civic Center, 801 E. Carson Street, Carson, CA 90745.
Unfortunately, studies show too few adults who are at risk for the disease know about COPD, the nation's fourth leading killer. A study published in the May 2008 issue of the journal Lung, found that most patients with or at risk of COPD have little to no knowledge of the disease. Authors Donna R. Parker, Roberta E. Goldman, and Charles B. Eaton concluded that "Participants perceived lung cancer as the primary lung disease of concern to their health and were largely unaware of COPD."
COPD can literally take your breath away and the impact on quality of life is profound. An American Lung Association survey revealed that more than half of COPD patients say the disease limits their ability to work, do household chores, participate in social activities, and sleep.
Lifestyle changes, exercise and medications can all help to slow the progression and improve quality of life today, a major focus of the Respiratory Rallies.
Daylong Conferences Empower Participants
The daylong conferences are for people with COPD and their caregivers. They feature medical speakers, motivational presenters, free educational materials and breakout sessions about a variety of topics. The rallies are planned and implemented by a team of health professionals, including physicians, nurses and respiratory therapists.
Newport Beach Topics/Speakers include:
Intimacy and COPD, by Dr. Paul Selecky
New Medications for Lung Disease, by Dr. James Pearle
End of Life Issues discussion
Comments from Melinda Wayne Munoz (John Wayne's daughter and lung patient)
Carson Topics/Speakers include:
Ask the Doctor, by Brian Tiep, MD, Respiratory Institute
Ask the Pharmacist
Alpha-1, by Melissa Biggs, actress
H1N1, by Carolyn Vizmanos, LA County Department of Public Health
COPD research, by Richard Casaburi, PhD, MD LA Bio Medical Research Institute
Oxygen Therapy, by Richard Casaburi, PhD, MD LA Bio Medical Research Institute
Asthma Management, by the Long Beach DHHS Healthy Homes Program
The Respiratory Rallies are also designed to encourage social interaction between people who share a common problem, helping to decrease feelings of isolation often associated with lung disease. Participants are able to talk about issues with others who understand their challenges and exchange solutions for common situations.
COPD Deaths Are Rising
COPD is a term that includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Inflammation and scarring cause the airways to become blocked, eventually making it hard to breathe. The disease kills more than 120,000 people in the U.S. each year. While deaths from other leading killers like heart disease and stroke are decreasing, COPD deaths are on the rise.
COPD is mostly caused by smoking, but other risk factors include air pollution, secondhand smoke and occupational hazards like chemicals, dust and fumes in the workplace. A rare form of emphysema is caused by an inherited deficiency of a protein called alpha-1 antitrypsin.
Symptoms of COPD include chronic cough or "smokers cough," increased mucus, frequent clearing of the throat, and shortness of breath. Because COPD progresses slowly, people often ignore the symptoms and don't seek medical treatment until the lungs are very damaged.
For more information or to register for the rally in Newport Beach, please call Adriana Batista, 714-835-5864 or abatista [at] alac [dot] org. For more information or to sign up for the Rally in Carson, please call Yvette Gonzalez at 213-384-5864 or ygonzalez [at] alac [dot] org. For your nearest American Lung Association, please call 800.586.4872. That number also connects you to the American Lung Association's free HelpLine, where you can get all your lung disease questions answered by a registered nurse or respiratory therapist. To learn more about COPD, visit www.californialung.org or www.LearnAboutCOPD.org.
About the American Lung Association: Now in its second century, the American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease. With your generous support, the American Lung Association is "Fighting for Air" through research, education and advocacy. For more information about the American Lung Association, a Charity Navigator Four Star Charity and holder of the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Guide Seal, or to support the work it does, call 1-800-LUNG-USA (1-800-586-4872) or visit www.lungusa.org.
