From the first moments of life, most of us have enjoyed the ability to breath
without effort or forethought. But for some, breathing can be hindered for a
variety of reasons. Those who experience difficulty may now breath a little
easier, thanks to a wide array of community programs and state-of-the-art diagnostic
services offered by Hanover Hospital.
If you experience shortness of breath, difficulty climbing stairs, a stubborn cough, or wheezing, you may have a respiratory disorder, such as asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, or an environmental or occupational disease. Treatment and rehabilitation of these conditions is available at Hanover Hospital, where you will encounter licensed Respiratory Therapists and Registered Nurses under the direction of a Pulmonary Medical Physician.
Why Your Lungs May Not Be Working At Their Best
When you have a breathing problem, movement of air, into and out of your lungs,
is restricted and difficult. You are working too hard to take in too little
air, and it feels as if you are breathing through a straw.
Why? This is what a thorough examination will find out, but, basically, it could
be one or more of the following:
1. The normal flow of air is blocked by excess mucus and inflammation (chronic bronchitis).
2. The bronchial airways have collapsed (emphysema).
3. The muscles around the airways have tightened (acute asthma)
4. The lung tissue is scarred (pulmonary fibrosis)
What you feel is shortness of breath. What you may be doing is coughing, wheezing, or generally feeling weak. It is not related to your age. It is a disorder that can be diagnosed and treated. So, you can enjoy your life as fully and comfortably as possible.
Tobacco / Smoking Cessation - Community Program
Nicotine, the active substance in cigarettes and other tobacco products, is as addictive as any hard drug, such as heroin or cocaine. But, if you want a chance at breathing easier and living a full, quality of life, you have to quit. When you are ready to do it, you have resources available to help you succeed! Hanover Hospital offers a variety of options to help members of the community in their efforts to adopt a tobacco-free lifestyle.
The Tobacco Cessation Department at Hanover Hospital offers a quarterly "Freedom from Smoking" group clinic. This class creates a friendly and safe environment where participants explore the world of tobacco use with an American Lung Association certified facilitator. In the empowering 8-session course the group learns behavior modification, stress management, examines lifestyle issues related to smoking, and how to become tobacco-free! Various Nicotine Replacement Therapies will also be reviewed.
If the group setting isn’t for you, Hanover Hospital also offers one-on-one sessions for youth and adults. Additional offerings include worksite employee cessation programs, free quit consultations, and resource materials available by mail. For more information, contact the Tobacco Cessation Department at (717) 633-8894.