A person takes about 12 breaths every minute.
It’s automatic.
And it’s important.
Article Photos
Times Observer photo by Brian Ferry
Breathing test
Warren General Hospital Respiratory Therapist Larry Barrile administers a breathing test on a patient.
Warren General Hospital’s Better Breathers Clinic is intended to help people with chronic breathing problems.
“They can come in and learn how the disease affects their body,” Respiratory Therapist Larry Barrile said.
The program is intended for people with COPD, emphysema, asthma, and chronic bronchitis, as well as family members and caregivers of people with those diseases.
Barrile said the program will start with an explanation of the anatomy of the lungs and the diseases.
“This helps them get a grasp on what their body is going through,” he said.
The explanations will also help prepare patients for what changes could await them.
Experts will talk about the medications prescribed to people with breathing problems. In some cases, Barrile said, the order in which medications are taken is important to their performance. He said he would like patients to have a “thorough understanding,” rather than “I’m taking this pill because the doctor told me to.”
“The physical therapist (Deb Whitton) is coming,” he said. “She will teach them how important exercise is – simple exercises to keep the muscle tone in their chest.”
“Apria (Healthcare) is coming to talk about asthma,” Barrile said. “Triggers – how to identify them, how to avoid them, and tricks around the house to eliminate them.”
The clinic will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Oct. 9 and 10, at the hospital.
The course is held twice to help accommodate those who are unable to make it on one of the nights, although many choose to attend both nights, according to Barrile.
There is no charge.
Those in attendance will receive a “peak flow meter” that they can use to test their breathing. “We instruct them to use it on a daily basis,” Barrile said. “When they see readings going down, they can call their doctor and head it off before it gets out of hand.”
The experts will also answer questions from the audience and Barrile suggests those attending bring a list of their medications with them.
Although the clinic was not set up to coincide with it, National Respiratory Care Week is celebrated in October.