I really want to take this opportunity to say thank you to so many people who have
made it much easier to be the new doctor in town. The physicians and staff at Medical
Associates of the Shoals have made my launch into their practice a pleasure. I’m also
grateful to the staff at Helen Keller Hospital for being generous with information and
assistance. Of course, my new patients have been kind and informative with lots of tips
about living in the Shoals.
I always try to use this platform to write about conditions that I think are greatly
impacting our community, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, or COPD, has
really been on my mind lately. You may know that COPD refers to diseases that cause
air flow blockage and breathing related problems. It includes emphysema, chronic
bronchitis, and in some cases, asthma. In the United States, tobacco smoke is a key
factor in the development and progression of COPD. What’s very concerning is that
more than 50% of adults with low pulmonary function are not aware that they have
COPD.
According to the CDC, compared to adults without COPD, adults with COPD are more
likely to experience any of the following:
Activity limitations, such as difficulty walking or climbing stairs
Inability to work
The need for special equipment, such as portable oxygen tanks
Inability to engage in social activities
Confusion or memory loss
More emergency room visits, or overnight hospital stays
Other chronic diseases such as arthritis, congestive heart failure, diabetes, and stroke
Depression or other mental or emotional conditions
How can COPD be prevented? First and foremost, quit smoking and avoid inhaling
tobacco smoke! Treatment of COPD requires a careful and thorough evaluation by a
physician. A subsequent plan of treatment should be developed based on the findings
of the evaluation.
If you think you or someone you love might be suffering from COPD, check with your
physician right away. If you aren’t currently under the care of a physician, please call
our office and schedule a time to come in. We will run a few simple tests to determine
what’s going on and the level of care you may need. My goal is to help you to achieve
the best quality of life possible.
To schedule an appointment, just call our new patient line at 256-383-4447 ext. 124,
visit www.medshoals.com and click on New Patients, or email us at
talktous@medshoals.com. We’ll get you scheduled as quickly as possible.