Learning to gain control over lung disease.
Purpose
The purpose Air Support Group is to provide our community with
a patient-based forum that will assist individuals (and their
families) in coping with chronic lung diseases, including emphysema,
asthma bronchitis, pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension
and others.
Goal
Our goal is to improve the quality of life and maximize the
physical and emotional well being of participants by achieving
the following
objectives.
-
To provide those with lung disease the education
and skills to function at their highest level, given the
severity of
their disease. (Thereby, reducing hospitalizations, urgent
care and
emergency room visits.)
-
To teach those with lung disease
(and their families) basic techniques of pulmonary selfcare,
and introduce new concepts
in the care and treatment of various lung diseases.
-
To
provide those with lung disease an outlet to share concerns
and ideas with other individuals living
with lung
disease.
-
To inform those with lung disease about
opportunities to participate in new treatment options
including research medications
and procedures.
Anticipated Results
By gaining knowledge about and skills for coping with their lung
disease, members of Air Support Group will be able to play
a more active role in the management and treatment of their
disease.
 Methods
Regular meetings will be held consisting of presentations by
medical professionals, coupled with sessions of open dialogue,
on topics geared to meet members’ needs. Meeting topics
will be scheduled in advance thereby allowing members to prepare
questions that can be addressed by guest speakers.
Limitations
It is no way the intention of Air Support Group to provide
direct medical advice. Air Support Group intends to provide
members
with basic information that can be used to improve communication
with qualified medical professionals. Members should not unilaterally
make changes to, nor initiate treatment of medical conditions
without obtaining the concurrence of their physician.
Meeting
Topics
-
What is COPD, its causes, and typical paths in its
progression.
-
Restrictive lung diseases (pulmonary fibrosis,
asbestosis, sarcoidosis).
-
You and your doctor as a team.
Why? And How? How can I help in the medical management
of my lung disease?
-
Nebulizers, oxygen systems, cpap, bipap,
flutter valves,
-
Medications and their effects.
-
Regular planned exercise -
next to your medications, the most important tool to
a better life
-
Home monitoring of vitals. What are
the benefits? Is it for you?
-
Pursed-lip
breathing what is it and how does it help?
-
Diet how does
it apply to COPD?
-
What is a PFT and what
does the data mean?
-
Oxygen
- liquid vs. compressed
adjusting to,
and maximizing the
benefits of long
term
oxygen therapy
(L.T.O.T.) T.T.O.-
What is it? Is
it for me?
-
What are
some viable
alternatives to a formal
physical
rehab program?
-
COPD
and smoking.
What
I can
do to quit?
-
COPD
-
its impact
on
other organs
-
Know
your body.
-
When and
where to
seek treatment
of exacerbations.
-
Social security
disability and
Medicare issues.
-
Advance directives.
-
Lung transplants
-
How can
I get
involved in
research?
CONTACT INFORMATION
Gary Carder
Pulmonary and Sleep Associates
(785) 234-5480
or
Chuck Coker
(620) 364-5864
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