Smoking Cessation & COPD

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Smoking Cessation

People who smoke double their risk of dying from a heart attack. If you need help just ask your provider. There are many aids and programs available to help you succeed in smoking cessation.

TOBACCO (all forms) contain nicotine which does the following:

•Narrows blood vessels
•Raises blood pressure
•Increases heart rate

•Harms the lining of your arteries
•Damages the lungs

Benefits to quitting smoking

•Sense of Smell and Taste return
•Foods Digest Better
•Smoker's Cough goes away and you breath easier
•Enjoy Exercise
•Cloths and breath smell better
•More money to enjoy in other ways

If you Smoke, you MUST STOP, smoking is one of the
worst things you can do to your heart!

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease or COPD is a lung disease in which the lungs are damaged, making it hard for you to breathe and includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. In COPD, the airways-the tubes that carry air in and out of your lungs-are partially obstructed, making it difficult to get air in and out.

Most people who are diagnosed with COPD are smokers or former smokers. Other contributing factors are pollen, dust, pet dander, smoke, plant and mold spores, mildew, paint and carpet fumes, cleaning product fumes and more. If exposed to these irritants over a long period of time they may cause or contribute to COPD.

COPD develops slowly. You may notice symptoms like feeling short of breath possibly accompanied by wheezing and a persistent cough with sputum production. COPD is usually diagnosed in middle-aged or older people. COPD is a major cause of death and illness, and it is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. There is no cure for COPD. The damage to your airways and lungs cannot be reversed, but there are things you can do to feel better and slow the damage.

First and foremost, if you are a smoker-QUIT SMOKING!!!!!

Second, breathe in cleaner air. Did you know that the air in your home could actually make you sick? By filtering out many of the irritants that aggravate your breathing you will start to feel better. North Main Family Practice is providing you with and electrostatic air filter for your home.

Controlling indoor pollutants is vital as most people spend as much as 90% of their time indoors. Indoor air filtration is the first line of defense in achieving good health. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) studies of human exposure
to air pollution indicate that indoor levels of many pollutants may be 2 to 5 times-and occasionally more than 100 times- higher than outdoor levels. Your lungs filter 2 gallons of air every minute. An electrostatic air filter will trap 97% of all allergens and other airborne dust particulates making the air your lungs filter that much cleaner.

The most efficient way to filter your indoor air is through your forced air heating and air conditioning filtration system. Electrostatic air filters are the most effective technology for filtering your home’s air. An electrostatic filter is much more effective than a standard or pleated air filter. As the air passes through an electrostatic air filter it produces friction that creates a natural electrostatic charge. The charge then attracts household dust particles like a magnet. These particles consist of irritants and allergens such as bacteria, dust mites, pollen, fabric lint, pant and mold spores, human and pet dander,
smoke and more.

Particles Trapped by Electrostatic Filter ~ Added benefits to owning and using an electrostatic air filter are as follows:

Healthy Environment – electrostatic air filters remove up to 97% of airborne irritants

Exceptional Efficiency – electrostatic air filters maintain the high efficiency of heating and cooling systems providing you with an estimated 10% per month cost savings on you power bill

Clean Home Interior - electrostatic air filters reduce dust and invisible particles that settle on walls and furnishings

Easy Installation and Maintenance - electrostatic air filters replace the existing filter and can be cleaned with water and mild detergent (about every 3-4 months)

Environmentally Friendly - electrostatic air filters do not produce ozone and eliminate build-up of disposable filters in Landfills

Please install your electrostatic air filter as soon as possible so you can start to breathe clean, filtered air. This will benefit the whole family. Just some of the Allergens and Particles that can be found around the house.

If you Smoke, Please Quit. Smoke contains 3,000 pollutants of which some are listed below. These are going directly into your lungs as well as the lungs of family members & friends who visit your home.