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On January 30, 2009, over 60 health professionals (primarily nurses) from 25 towns across the state gathered last week (January 29) to learn more about asthma and COPD. Breathe New Hampshire, the NH Asthma Control Program and the Southern NH Area Health Education Center co-sponsored the workshop, Understanding Asthma and COPD Training, at the Puritan Conference Center in Manchester. “The two diseases have much in common, yet are distinct in how they are treated and the expected outcomes,” said Albee Budnitz, MD, a Pulmonologist from Southern NH Medical Center. Dr. Budnitz was one of two presenters at the workshop. He spoke about the clinical aspects of each condition. Key differences are the onset of COPD is generally mid-life, whereas, the most typical time to begin showing asthma symptoms is during childhood. The symptoms of COPD, including breathlessness, become progressively worse, whereas the coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness that are typical for someone living with asthma, vary from day to day. “The majority of COPD patients have a history of smoking. About 20% of our adult population currently smoke, believe it or not, that statistic also applies to those who are living with asthma,” said Dr. Budnitz. Other key take away’s from the workshop are there are more cases of COPD than asthma, both diseases are chronic and have no cure, however, both can be effectively managed through medicines, exercise, avoiding triggers, and other life changes. Another fact presented is that more people die from COPD each day than of diabetes and breast cancer combined. This is a sobering fact that speaks to the severity and prevalence of the disease. “The same medicines can actually be used for both diseases, but are not prescribed in the same way,” Dr. Budnitz said. He showed the audience a poster depicting several dozen different inhaler devices that are commonly prescribed for asthma and COPD. “Each device is used differently,” he told the crowd. “The reality is Dr.’s see so many patients each day that the time to educate patients is a luxury. We rely on you, the health educators,” he said. Deb Chabot, RN, and Certified Asthma Educator, presented information at the workshop about the importance of the role of the health care educator in assisting those who are living with either of these conditions. She invited audience members to help her demonstrate the correct way of inhaling medicine through an inhaler and the importance of using a “spacer” chamber. The spacer is a round plastic tube that is attached to the inhaler. The patient inhales through the spacer and this helps deliver the medicine more quickly and evenly. “I always emphasize education, education, education,” said Chabot. “So many people are diagnosed with COPD or asthma and do not receive any instruction about how to use their medicines. We’ve seen how many different kinds of inhalers there are, and most work in their own unique way. It is little wonder that many living with these conditions may be confused about their medications.”. Both presenters talked about the importance of Pulmonary Rehabilitation Programs. These programs help teach those living with lung disease to conserve their breath, and literally how to breathe in a more efficient manner. “Pulmonary Rehab is the most effective treatment regarding how to best live with your lung condition,” Chabot commented. “At any given time we have at least 30 to 40 inhalers in our cabinet,” said one attendee, a school nurse from an elementary school in Londonderry. “I’ve really learned a lot of good information at this workshop. For instance, I will definitely be washing the inhalers and chambers more frequently,” she added. Another school nurse commented that many of the students in her school do not know how to properly use their inhalers and neither do some parents. “I’ve seen a child hold the inhaler upside down and when I’ve tried to correct them, they said ‘that’s the way my Mom said to use it,’” she commented. “That really emphasizes the importance of these kinds of workshops, so we can learn the best and correct techniques and try to carry the information back to our communities,” she concluded.
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