COPD… It Will Take Your Breath Away – Part 2
If you are at risk for COPD or have symptoms of COPD, you should be tested. The basic test of how your lungs work is easy and is called Spirometry. For this test, you blow air into a mouthpiece and tubing attached to a small machine. The machine measures the amount of air you blow out and how fast you can blow it. Your doctor will also ask for a complete health history and do a health exam. They may also want you to have a chest x-ray and/or other tests.
If you have any of these SYMPTOMS, you are at risk for developing COPD and the COPD Foundation recommends testing
Anyone with the following should get tested:
- Has a history of smoking
- Has long-term exposure to air pollutants (including pollution and second-hand smoke)1
- Has chronic coughing with or without sputum
- Has wheezing
- Has shortness of breath that has become worse over time
- Cannot keep up with people of your own age
Rehab Home Health has a number of Specialty Programs that support particular health concerns including COPD. Contact us at 855-FLA-Nurse for more information.
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