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Lung Health
Prime Care Family Health Team is proud to offer specialized programs for various respiratory health concerns, including asthma, COPD, and tobacco use. We also complete lung function testing and assessments. Group classes in addition to one-on-one counselling is available for patients of Prime Care FHT. For more information or to register for any of the programs we offer, please call 905-878-1720.
Asthma
Asthma is a chronic lung disease that inflames and narrows the airway. It is fairly common and can be diagnosed at any age. The common asthma symptoms are: cough, wheeze, chest tightness and shortness of breath. These symptoms tend to come and go. If the symptoms occur at night, first thing in the morning, or during exercise, then the asthma is not well controlled. Asthma is well controlled when you are:
· Exercising without symptoms
· Sleeping without symptoms
· Not needing to use your reliever inhaler (Blue puffer) more than three times a week
· Not missing school or work
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
COPD is short for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. COPD symptoms often slowly worsen over time. However, sometimes they can worsen suddenly. For instance, a cold, the flu, or a lung infection may cause a ‘lung attack’ making it much harder to catch your breath. When these attacks happen, you may have chest tightness, more coughing and changes in the color or amount of your sputum (spit). The respiratory therapist will provide instructions on how to treat a ‘lung attack’, what breathing exercises to do and what inhalers to take – all to help you breathe easier. The goals of the COPD Program include: Relieving your shortness of breath, slowing the progression of the disease, improving your exercise tolerance, preventing and treating complications and improving your overall health. Exercise is proven to keep people with COPD healthy; therefore, all patients in the COPD Program will be referred to a physiotherapist who will provide you with several exercise options, including a local medically supervised Pulmonary Rehab Program. Quitting smoking is the most important step you can take to treat COPD. The multidisciplinary team can help you quit.
Smoking Cessation
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.
Eligibility Requirements:
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. (Download Smoking Cessation Program) (HIDE)
Spirometry Breathing Test
Spirometry is a simple breathing test that is now available at Prime Care Family Health Centre.
Who should have spirometry? Take the Canadian Lung Health Test to find out.
· Do you cough regularly?
· Do you cough up phlegm regularly?
· Do even simple chores make you short of breath?
· Do you wheeze when you exert yourself? Or at night?
· Do you get frequent colds that persist longer than those of other people?
If you answered yes to any one of the above questions, talk to your doctor or Nurse Practitioner about taking a simple breathing test called spirometry.
