Vim & Vigor - Winter 2012 - North Mississippi - (Page 8)

Randle Shaw has seen a huge improvement in his health. require supplemental oxygen, and some only need it at night. Several have also been able to taper off some of their breathing treatments. “The reason we are seeing such a wonderful improvement in the psychosocial scores is because it gives them back the sense that they can still do the things they want to do,” Butler says. GettinG Back to a Better Life Butler recalls Randle Shaw, 64, the first patient of NMMC-Hamilton’s pulmonary rehabilitation program. “When Mr. Shaw first came to us, he was not even able An Ounce of Prevention Many of the diagnoses that qualify patients for pulmonary rehabilitation are caused by smoking. “Certainly, smoking is not the only thing that can cause these diseases,” says Vanita Southward, director of respiratory therapy at NMMC-Iuka. “However, people who do smoke are at a much higher risk for lung disease. No matter how long a person has been smoking, their risk goes way down if they quit right now.” ACT Center Tobacco Cessation programs can help you quit. Offered in Tupelo and Iuka through NMMC, the goal of the ACT Center is to help people quit using tobacco and stay quit using a proven, evidence-based approach. Treatment involves: • One intake session, to determine if ACT is the best program for you, and give you the opportunity to ask questions. • Six one-hour treatment sessions to help you develop the skills you need to quit and stay quit. • Follow-up sessions for up to one year to increase your chances of staying quit permanently. All counseling and medications are free to Mississippi residents. There is no penalty program—patients can go through the program as many times as needed to quit. For more information on the ACT Center at NMMC-Tupelo, call 662-377-5787. To learn more about the ACT Center at NMMC-Iuka, call 662-423-4675. to walk,” Butler says. “He really enjoys working in his yard and going to the domino hall with his friends. He also used to love doing upholstery in cars, but COPD had taken away his ability to do almost all of those things. He called me the other day to tell me that he is getting his shop redone so he can start up his hobby again. It’s so thrilling to hear that he feels like he’s gotten part of his life back that he thought he had lost.” Shaw says he is sticking with his home exercises, and will be joining the NMMC-Hamilton Wellness Center soon. “I got to where I couldn’t get around and was in the hospital six times in four months,” Shaw says. “Since finishing the program, I haven’t had to go back to the hospital a single time.” Patients who complete pulmonary rehabilitation can join the Wellness Center for a discounted rate to ensure they are able to keep the gains they made during the program. The program focuses on muscle strengthening by incorporating treadmill, ergometer, stationary bicycle, stair stepper and free weight exercises, all while keeping a close watch on oxygen levels, heart rate and blood pressure. In addition, family members are heavily involved in the process. “We teach patients and their families correct use of an inhaler, how to eat for COPD and home exercise,” Butler says. “We make sure they understand proper nutrition and what their medications are for and how to use them.” The most common diagnoses for pulmonary rehabilitation are emphysema, chronic bronchitis, asthma, cystic fibrosis, lung cancer, lung transplant, pulmonary fibrosis and other types of COPD. caLL Get the support you need to help you breathe easier. In addition to the program at NMMC-Hamilton, pulmonary rehabilitation is also offered at NMMC-Eupora, NMMC-West Point and NMMC-Tupelo. NMMC-Iuka is currently working toward opening a program. These are all modeled after the program at NMMC-Tupelo, which has been in operation for more than 20 years. For more information on the pulmonary rehabilitation programs offered at North Mississippi Medical Center locations, call 800-THE DESK (800-843-3375). Take Control of COPD 8 Vim & Vigor • WI N TEr 2 012

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Vim & Vigor - Winter 2012 - North Mississippi

Vim & Vigor - Winter 2012 - North Mississippi
Contents
Opening Thoughts
Bundles of Joy
A Sigh of Relief
Because I Said So!
What’s Wrong with This Picture?
The Future Is Now
Everyday Hero
What Does 200 Calories Look Like?
Johnny Be Good
In the Driver’s Seat
We’ve Got Your Back
Bank on Your Health
Virtual Health
Contact Us!
Take Control of Your Diabetes
Life After a Loss
Taking Flight
Catch the Spirit

Vim & Vigor - Winter 2012 - North Mississippi