Many people have asthma. Asthma is chronic inflammatory lung disease that can lead to intermittent symptoms of coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and chest tightness. These symptoms tend be variable and may come in a particular season or worsen with the common cold or the flu. If the symptoms occur at night, first thing in the morning, or during exercise, then the asthma is sub optimally controlled. When the inflammation is under control there will be no symptoms, even with strenuous activity. Well controlled asthma means one is able to: exercise without any respiratory symptoms, sleep through the night without symptoms, all without needing to take a ‘rescue inhaler’ (Blue puffer). The ideal way to see if someone’s asthma is well controlled is to do a breathing test called spirometry.
COPD symptoms is short for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Other names for COPD are Chronic Bronchitis and emphysema. COPD symptoms of shortness of breath that progressively worsens over time. The goals of COPD management include: relieving any shortness of breath, slowing the progression of the disease, improving overall exercise tolerance, and preventing and treating flare ups. Exercise is proven to help those with COPD decrease their shortness of breath. Smoking cessation is an important step in slowing down the disease progression so smoking cessation counseling is offered also.
Do you cough, wheeze or have shortness of breath? Do you get frequent colds that persist longer than those of other people?
Are you on puffers or respiratory inhalers? If you answered yes to any one of the above questions, talk to your health care professional about taking a simple breathing test called spirometry.
Have you thought about quitting smoking but don’t know where to start? Prime Care Family Health Team’s “Kick Butt!” program can help you with your smoking cessation goals, whether you are considering quitting smoking for the first time or have tried many times before. Call for a smoking cessation appointment.
In addition to our “Kick Butt!” program, Prime Care Family Health Team (Prime Care FHT) is partnering in the “STOP with FHTs” program with CAMH and the Government of Ontario and provides free Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) to Ontario patients who wish to quit smoking.
Patients who smoke and who are registered with Prime Care FHT may join the “Kick Butt! “Program, or enroll in the STOP with FHTs program which provides counselling and free nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). Call your doctor’s office to book a smoking cessation appointment with a Counsellor.
To learn more about out services, programs, or to work together, please fill out the form below or give us a call at 905-878-1720
