Mr. Symonds, who has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, learned how to manage the disease through participation in The Better Breathing Center pulmonary rehabilitation program at Clearfield Hospital.

To learn more about the lung function test, or The Better Breathing Center, please contact Ms. Spicher at 814.768.2325, or e-mail rehab@clearfieldhosp.org.

November is COPD Awareness Month. For more information about the disease, log on to the American Lung Association Web site at www.lungusa.org.

William Symonds of Brockway never gave much thought about how exposure to lung irritants in the workplace, plus a history of smoking, might impact his ability to breathe later in life.

That all changed in 1997, when Mr. Symonds was hospitalized twice for bronchitis. He experienced coughing bouts so violent that he passed out for a few seconds. His energy level was low, and he was easily winded when going about his daily activities.

By that time, he had been tobacco-free since 1994, but years of smoking and being exposed to irritants while working in the railroad industry and in restaurants as a chef had caused significant harm to his lungs.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Mr. Symonds was eventually diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a disease in which the lungs are damaged, making it hard to breathe. In COPD, the airways -- the tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs -- are partly obstructed, making it difficult to get air in and out.

COPD is a major cause of death and illness, and the third leading cause of death in the United States and throughout the world, according to Shelley Spicher, intake and assessment coordinator of Clearfield Hospital's Rehabilitation Department.

Most people with COPD are smokers or former smokers. Breathing in other kinds of lung irritants, like pollution, dust, or chemicals, over a long period of time may also cause or contribute to COPD, Ms. Spicher said.

COPD develops slowly, and it may be many years before a person will notice symptoms like feeling short of breath. Most of the time, COPD is diagnosed in middle-aged or older people.

"Unfortunately, there is no cure for COPD. Though damage to the airways and lungs can't be reversed, there are things a person can do to feel better, slow the damage and improve their overall quality of life and independence," Ms. Spicher said.

For Mr. Symonds, medication eased his symptoms, but, several years later, he still wasn't feeling as well as he thought he could. Dr. Angelo Illuzzi recommended Mr. Symonds consider pulmonary rehabilitation at Clearfield Hospital.

Clearfield Hospital's Better Breathing Center

The Better Breathing Center, part of Clearfield Hospital's Rehabilitation Department, is multi-disciplinary program which provides exercise, conditioning, endurance training, education and emotional support to patients with chronic pulmonary diseases such as COPD, asthma, emphysema, cystic fibrosis and Black Lung.

The treatment team consists of respiratory therapists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, dieticians and medical director Dr. Bruno Romeo.

During the 12-week program, the team focused on breathing retraining, pursed-lip breathing techniques and strength endurance to enable Mr. Symonds, 70, regain his quality of life.

At first, Mr. Symonds was skeptical that pulmonary rehabilitation could help.

"They started me at a slow pace, and I didn't see results right away. But, I stuck with it and by the fourth week, I noticed a big change. Before, I felt like I was going to die when I walked up steps. Now, I can do that, clean my house and even mow my lawn," Mr. Symonds said.

He said what helped him the most was the one-on-one attention he received from The Better Breathing professionals. Though he completed the program in September, he stays in touch with the center's therapists.

"I recommend this program to everyone who has breathing problems. It truly does make a difference," he said.

More Information About COPD

Ms. Spicher said the key to effectively managing COPD is early detection. A simple breathing test can show how well a person's lungs are functioning.

Those who should take this test include people who now smoke or have ever smoked; have a cough, wheezing, chest tightness or shortness of breath; bring up mucus when they cough; or have ever been exposed to fumes or second-hand smoke that may have affected their lungs.

"Often, COPD symptoms don't show up until later in life. By that time, people feel hopeless because they are so limited by the disease. We can help change that, and the sooner they are diagnosed, the better," Ms. Spicher said.

She added that November is COPD Awareness Month. For more information about the disease, log on to the American Lung Association Web site at www.lungusa.org.

To learn more about the lung function test, or The Better Breathing Center, please contact Ms. Spicher at 768-2325, or e-mail rehab@clearfieldhosp.org.