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TOMS RIVER, N.J., MAY 23, 2006 – Most of us know about the dangers of smoking and its direct link to various forms of cancer, including lung, throat and oral cancer. What you may not know is that smoking – and exposure to secondhand smoke – is also the most common cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
 COPD is a slowly progressive disease of the airways that is characterized by a gradual loss of lung function. The airways – the tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs – become partly obstructed, making it increasingly difficult to breathe.
The majority of people with COPD are smokers or former smokers, but breathing in pollution, dust or chemicals can also cause lung disease and contribute to COPD. In fact, many of the first responders in New York City who came into contact with dust from Ground Zero during the rescue and recovery efforts have been diagnosed with this condition, as well as asthma, emphysema and other serious lung diseases.
Often compared with the sensation of drowning, individuals with COPD deal with wheezing, coughing, chest tightness and are chronically short of breath. It’s a progressively debilitating condition that can leave its victims frustrated, confused and alone.
The good news is that with pulmonary rehabilitation, individuals living with COPD and other lung diseases can learn to breathe a little easier – and achieve a better quality of life. Rehabilitation consisting of exercise and education can help participants with chronic lung disease regain their activity level and independence, according to Debbie Jeffers, a respiratory therapist with Community Medical Center for 21 years who directs the hospital’s progressive Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program.
“The program here at Community Medical Center takes a comprehensive approach to rehabilitation, beginning with a thorough assessment. We also incorporate physical reconditioning, skills training as well as emotional and psychological support. The program is designed to help individuals with pulmonary disease live life to its fullest, despite their chronic health conditions,” she adds.
The program works to reduce symptoms, decrease disability, increase participation in physical and social activities, and improve the overall quality of life for patients with chronic respiratory disease.
Patients are referred to the program by their physician and receive an initial assessment by a registered respiratory therapist that includes a six-minute walk test to ascertain lung capacity.
“Based on that assessment and the physician’s guidelines, we develop a treatment plan that includes education about proper breathing and relaxation techniques, medications and nutrition,” she says.
The program’s specialized staff also works closely with participants to develop exercise programs that meet their personal needs. These exercise regimes are conducted under the supervision of respiratory therapists like Jeffers, These professionals monitor each participant's heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen saturation to measure the body's response to the exercise.
“Long-term studies have shown that patients who participate in pulmonary rehabilitation programs are more self-reliant and require less medication, with far fewer doctor’s visits and hospitalizations,” she says. According to Jeffers, the typical course of rehabilitation consists of two sessions a week, over a period of 12 weeks.
Community's Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program is open to individuals who have either obstructive or restrictive pulmonary disease. For more information about the program, call 732-557-8000, extension 11681.
CONTACT: Kristine A. Brown
Director of Public Relations
(732) 557-7167
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