New Study Shows Respiratory Deaths on the Rise as Local Health Fair Offers Free Breathing Tests

At the same time as a new study shows death rates from chronic respiratory disease have doubled in the last 30 years, Barlow Respiratory Hospital is hosting a health fair, providing free screenings for the early detection of breathing disorders.

October 17, 2005 -- At the same time as a new study shows death rates from chronic respiratory disease have doubled in the last 30 years, Barlow Respiratory Hospital is hosting a health fair, providing free screenings for the early detection of breathing disorders.

Marking National Respiratory Care Week, the health fair is being held on Saturday, October 22 on Barlow’s original campus at 2000 Stadium Way in Los Angeles, next door to Dodger Stadium. In addition to the lung capacity test, free flu shots and other health screenings are being offered.

“Breathing is fundamental to our health, but people don’t think about it much,” says Dr. David Nelson, medical director for Barlow Respiratory Hospital. “For those who do think about their breathing, whether they have asthma, live with a smoker, or struggle with respiratory illness, they often do not realize there is more they can do to better manage their respiratory health.”

The study, reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association this past month, shows that Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), the nation’s fourth leading cause of death, increased substantially. In contrast, death rates declined in four of the five leading causes of death – heart disease, stroke, accidents and even cancer.

Preventive measures one can take for respiratory disease have not achieved as much public awareness as compared with other leading causes of death, such as heart disease. This is compounded by the covert nature of lung disease, making it possible to have a serious lung disease, yet have no symptoms. It is possible for COPD to permanently damage 20% to 40% of a person’s lung capacity before symptoms appear.

The most effective way to detect early whether one has COPD is through a simple breathing test called spirometry, which will be offered at Barlow’s health fair. This screening measures lung capacity. It can help determine if a person’s lungs are not functioning at their optimal level, indicating early whether the person might be at risk for the disease.

Spirometry should be performed in all smokers, former smokers and people exposed to environmental tobacco smoke or irritants in the workplace, says Dr. Nelson. Even those exposed to second-hand smoke may be at risk.

“A simple spirometry test is also a good idea for anyone who experiences a persistent cough, mucus, wheezing or shortness of breath,” Dr. Nelson recommends. “Even if your doctor listens to your lungs and orders a chest x-ray, it is still necessary to have a spirometry test. A physical exam and chest x-ray cannot detect COPD in the early stages of the disease.”

COPD refers to a group of diseases that cause breathing problems through airflow blockage. It includes emphysema, chronic bronchitis and certain cases of asthma. As many as 24 million Americans are affected by the disease, which is a leading cause of illness and disability. With the help of early detection, both treatments and lifestyle changes may help alter the progress of the disease that accounts for more than 9.5 million emergency room and doctors’ visits each year.

In addition to free spirometry tests, the not-for-profit hospital’s annual health fair will also provide free flu shots. Flu and pneumonia, a complication of the flu, are the seventh leading cause of death, and October is ideal for getting a flu shot.

Other health screenings, including cholesterol, blood oxygen and blood sugar testing will be provided. Educational seminars and informational exhibits will be led by experts in respiratory health about managing asthma and allergies, smoking cessation, improving breathing technique and other hot topics.

Take steps to safeguard your respiratory health. Join Barlow Respiratory Hospital, co-sponsors Council members Ed Reyes and Eric Garcetti, and many local health agencies at the 3rd Annual Respiratory Health Fair on Saturday, October 22 from 10:00a.m. – 3:00p.m. on Barlow’s campus at 2000 Stadium Way in Los Angeles, next door to Dodger Stadium.

For more information, visit www.barlow2000.org/fair or call 213-202-6445.

###