Patient Education Class Descriptions
Description of Patient Education Classes for:
Classes for Parents of Children and Adolescents with Asthma
What Makes Asthma Worse? (Pediatric & Adult)
What is happening in the lungs with asthma? What makes asthma worse? These are a number of questions that will be answered in this class. Irritants, allergens, infections, weather changes, exercise and gastroesophageal reflux will be discussed.
Asthma Medications
From infants to adults, correct medication technique is important. Techniques to inhale medication correctly will be discussed and demonstrated in this class. Respiratory medications and common side effects will be reviewed.
Asthma Self Management
Monitoring asthma by assessing symptoms and using a peak flow meter will be discussed. The use of an Asthma Action Plan to manage asthma in a variety of situations will also be discussed.
Tools for Giving Up Smoking
If you’re just thinking about giving up smoking or ready to set a quit date, this class is for you. This is an informative class that follows along with the Understanding Giving Up Smoking booklet. It will provide you with helpful, practical tools as you prepare to give up smoking.
Pediatric Asthma and Exercise
If your child is school age and has asthma you may find this class helpful. The class will cover the benefits of exercise, plus safe and appropriate exercise programs. Discussions will include how asthma and asthma medications may affect sports participation and how to communicate effectively with coaches and P.E. teachers.
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Classes for Parents of Children and Adolescents and Adults with Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema)
Learning about Atopic Dermatitis
Learn about the importance of “Soak and Seal” in this class. Avoidance of things that make atopic dermatitis worse, daily skin care and managing worsening symptoms will be discussed.
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Classes for Adults with Chronic Lung Disease
What Makes Asthma Worse? (Pediatric & Adult)
What is happening in the lungs with asthma? What makes asthma worse? These are a number of questions that will be answered in this class. Irritants, allergens, infections, weather changes, exercise and gastroesophageal reflux will be discussed.
Asthma Self Management
Monitoring asthma by assessing symptoms and using a peak flow meter will be discussed. The use of an Asthma Action Plan to manage asthma in a variety of situations will also be discussed.
Respiratory Medications
Correct medication technique is important. Techniques to inhale medication correctly will be discussed and demonstrated in this class. Respiratory medications and common side effects will be reviewed.
Antibiotics for Mycobacterial and Other Lung Diseases
There are a variety of antibiotics that are used to treat mycobacterial disease. These medications and common side effects will be discussed in this class.
Understanding Your Lung Disease & Testing
Understanding your lung disease is often helpful. The anatomy and physiology of the respiratory system are reviewed in this class. A variety of lung diseases will be discussed. They include: Asthma, COPD (Emphysema and Chronic Bronchitis), Bronchiectasis and Interstitial Lung Disease. Common testing to evaluate chronic lung disease will also be discussed.
Managing Your Lung Disease
What are the many aspects of managing chronic lung disease? Topics reviewed in class include an overview of treatment goals, the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, avoiding infections, medication therapy, oxygen therapy, breathing retraining and technique to bring up mucus.
Tools for Giving Up Smoking
If you’re just thinking about giving up smoking or ready to set a quit date, this class is for you. This is an informative class that follows along with the Understanding Giving Up Smoking booklet. It will provide you with helpful, practical tools as you prepare to give up smoking.
Tools for Fitness
What is an exercise prescription? This class will review the components of an exercise prescription. The benefits of aerobic exercise for people with chronic lung disease and how to overcome obstacles that may affect an exercise program will also be discussed.
Nutrition and the Person with Lung Disease
This class discusses guidelines for optimal nutrition with chronic lung disease. Issues covered include special nutritional needs related to steroid therapy and chronic infection, weight control, bone health, and tips for using nutrition to enhance health.
Learning About Osteoporosis
What should you know if you have osteoporosis? Learn what risk factors are and how to manage osteoporosis with diet, exercise and medication.
On the Go with Oxygen
The benefits of oxygen therapy for people with chronic lung disease will be reviewed. Current oxygen equipment to enhance your quality of life will also be discussed, including traveling with oxygen.
Managing Your Energy Everyday
This is a class to help people with lung disease be more productive and more satisfied with daily living. Everyday tasks including self-care, household chores, hobbies, and work can be made easier through instruction in energy management, proper breathing, and work simplification.
Sexuality and the Person with Lung Disease
This class describes human sexuality and the normal response to a sexual stimulus. Normal changes related to aging and problems related to chronic disease and respiratory conditions will be reviewed. Strategies to improve intimacy and sexual functioning will also be discussed.
Coping with Illness
This class will address what it feels like to have illness in your life. It will help you identify and address stressors that may be part of your illness process. It is also an open forum to connect with others who share similar experiences.
Stress Management & Relaxation
This is a class to help people with chronic lung disease and their families learn to identify how muscle tension and mental stress disrupt the breathing process. Participants are instructed in various techniques to assist them in the relaxation process. These include diaphragmatic breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, visualization skills, and the therapeutic use of hobbies.
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