CoxHealth, American Lung Association partner to present COPD class

CoxHealth and the American Lung Association of the Gulf Plains Region (Springfield office) have partnered to present “COPD 101,” a free class for people with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and their caregivers Wednesday, Dec. 14, from 1-2 p.m.

COPD occurs when damage to your lungs blocks airflow when you exhale, making it difficult to breathe. It is most commonly caused by smoking, and is the only leading cause of death with rates that are not declining – in fact, rates of COPD are rising by approximately 16 percent each year.

While damage caused by COPD can’t be reversed, patients with this condition can take steps to improve their quality of life. This information and more will be covered in “COPD 101,” and there will be time for questions.

The class will be held in the CoxHealth Surgery Center, 960 E. Walnut Lawn. For more information, call Glenda Miller with CoxHealth at 269-3907, or Terri Stafford with the American Lung Association at 883-7177.