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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Speare Memorial Hospital (603) 536-1120 |
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April 7, 2008 |
SMH Presents Living With Asthma: Achieving a Normal, Symptom-Free Lifestyle |
| PLYMOUTH, N.H. --- There are approximately 20 million Americans living with asthma, and the number of cases has increased by 75 percent since 1980. On Wednesday, April 16 at 7 p.m., Speare Memorial Hospital presents Living With Asthma as the next presentation in it´s on going health and wellness series. |
| Held in the Community Room at Citizen´s Bank in Plymouth, the program is free and open to the public. Join Dr. Jeffrey Reisert from Tenney Mountain Internal Medicine, Dr. Viking Hedberg from Plymouth Pediatrics and SMH Respiratory Therapist Heidi Ashe as they discuss treatment and prevention of asthma in adults and children. The interactive session will cover new treatment guidelines, an overview of medications, signs and symptoms of attack, and proper use of inhalers. |
| "With an increase in awareness, asthma can be managed effectively through patient education and establishment of an asthma treatment plan," notes Peter Gallagher, SMH´s director of Cardiopulmonary Services. He says to properly manage asthma and avoid trips to the hospital because of a severe attack, one must have a written asthma treatment plan. It is s as easy as sitting down with your doctor and making a plan based on individual symptoms, and knowing what steps to take to lead a normal, symptom-free life. |
| Completing an asthma treatment plan with your doctor, and following it, is the first of five steps recommended by the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services to successfully manage asthma. The others are: know your symptoms and take your medications; know your asthma triggers and avoid them; get a flu shot; and avoid all tobacco smoke. More information on living with asthma can be found at www.nhlung.org. |
| Speare Memorial Hospital is a 24-hour, acute care, non-profit community hospital and health care provider serving Plymouth, and the communities of central New Hampshire, for more than a century. |
| Michele Barney Hutchins Director of Community Relations Speare Memorial Hospital (603) 238-6468 mhutchins@spearehospital.com |