Struggling to breathe is a frightening, yet common, experience for over 3 million Americans each year living with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).  COPD, which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis, takes enough lives to make it the nation’s third leading cause of death.

COPD develops slowly, with symptoms like shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, and tightness in the chest that get worse over time. It can be difficult for people with COPD to work, sleep, or be even minimally active physically and socially. While there is no cure for COPD, and doctors don’t know how to reverse the damage to the airways and lungs, pulmonary rehabilitation has been clinically proven to improve the overall quality of life for people with COPD.

For the past six years, the pulmonary rehabilitation program at Speare Memorial Hospital has been helping people with chronic lung diseases increase strength and endurance to better manage their symptoms and get the most out of life.

Participants in the program benefit from a team of different medical professionals that is dedicated to improving lives with individualized programs that follow the guidelines established by the  American Academy of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR).

Pulmonary rehabilitation can help you:

• Experience less difficulty with breathing
• Increase muscle strength and endurance
• Improve ability to cope with daily activities
• Understand how to use medications and oxygen appropriately
• Improve quality of life
• Reduce hospitalizations

Classes are held Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons in the Cardiac Rehab Gym located on the first floor in the east wing of Speare Memorial Hospital

For more information please call (603) 238-228.