News from the American Association of Family Physicians Meeting in Chicago

Dr. Clare Hawkins, Family Physician from San Jacinto Methodist Hospital, Baytown, TX _____________________________________________________ Background: It’s a leading cause of disability and death and affects millions before they even realize they have it. It is called COPD or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, an umbrella disease that includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema or both. COPD is a progressive lung disease that primarily affects current and former smokers. Impacting nearly 24 million Americans, only 12 million have been diagnosed, making COPD one of the most under-diagnosed diseases/epidemics in the United States. COPD is a life-long disease that impacts people’s ability to conduct simple daily activities like walking up stairs, getting the mail, interacting with family members, but it goes undetected for years due to: * Confusion of symptoms (such as shortness of breath and wheezing), which start in mid life, with asthma other lung ailments like persistent allergies and respiratory infections * The stigma and shame related to the main cause of the diseasecigarette smoking While COPD is not curable, it is a manageable disease when detected early. That’s why a new questionnaire, called the COPD Population Screener can help you or your loved ones take action and determine whether the symptoms they are experiencing may be COPD This easy to use, five-question, self-scored screener asks people to consider their health, asking specific questions about shortness of breath, coughing, smoking history and more. Dr. Clare Hawkins of San Jacinto Methodist Hospital, Baytown, TX is available to give your viewers the complete list of five questions and to talk about new findings that show how the questionnaire was developed, why it works and why you or your loved ones need to take action regarding COPD. In addition, he will explain the risk factors, symptoms, disease management and why it’s important to be diagnosed earlier rather than later.