As the Philadelphia region experiences a recent uptick in wildfires, smog, and increased air pollution, there’s a growing concern about the air we breathe.
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Marc Diamond, MD, is a pulmonologist at Temple Lung Center at Chestnut Hill.
As the Philadelphia region experiences a recent uptick in wildfires, smog, and increased air pollution, there’s a growing concern about the quality of the air we breathe – and rightfully so. As more research is being done around these concerning trends and the potential impact on lung health, we are learning that conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are no longer thought of as a disease that only affects smokers, but can also be caused by environmental factors like pollution.
COPD is a progressive lung disease that affects more than 15 million worldwide – and roughly 75,000 adults in Philadelphia. This condition prevents the lungs from getting enough air and can make it very difficult to breathe.
Two of the most common types of COPD are chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Symptoms – including chronic cough, mucus production, shortness of breath and fatigue – can affect every area of life. Managing these symptoms and preventing flare-ups are the main concerns of COPD patients.
As one of the country’s most active hubs in lung research and treatment, the Temple Lung Center, with locations in Chestnut Hill and Oaks, is leading advancements in the treatment of COPD, while also providing education and counseling support for patients and their caregivers.
As part of a patient-centered approach to care, Temple is providing a free education session on Nov. 13 at the Hilton at Penn’s Landing in Philadelphia where patients and caregivers have an opportunity to learn from leading global experts about how to best manage their condition and new treatments that may be available to them. This session is part of a larger international conference that Temple hosts each year, bringing in experts from all around the world to share their latest findings and discuss key advancements in the care and management of patients with COPD.
This unique patient session gives patients a chance to meet and talk with other individuals living with COPD and hear internationally renowned experts discuss common questions, like how and when to use medications. How to manage a flare-up? What clinical trials are available?
Attendees can also listen in on interactive discussions between doctors and patient advocates on important topics in COPD care like oxygen therapy and non-pharmacological treatment, such as rehabilitation, nutrition, and oxygen therapy.
Interventional options may also help, including a new minimally invasive procedure called Bronchoscopic Lung Volume Reduction, or BLVR. Temple leads the nation in BLVR, which offers patients quick recovery times, little pain, and life-changing results.
The GOLD COPD Conference Patient Education Session will take place Monday, November 13 from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Hilton at Penn’s Landing in Philadelphia. Attendance is free to individuals with COPD and their caregivers, though advance registration is required. Lunch will be provided, and free valet parking is available. To register, visit goldconferenceondemand.com/patient
