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Whether it’s snoring at night or seasonal wheezing, the respiratory care therapists at Mercy Grayling want to help you breathe easier.
To celebrate National Respiratory Care Week, the Respiratory Care and Sleep Lab at the hospital will be open to the public on Wednesday, October 28 from 10 am-2 pm, which is also National Lung Health Day.
Visitors will have a chance to get tested with a spirometer, a simple lung function measuring tool, as well as pick up treats and a few tips on improving breathing, said Gary Rapelje, RRT, MBA and Assistant Director of the Mercy Grayling Respiratory Care/Sleep Lab.
“Spirometry is a fancy word for blowing in a tube, but what people don’t realize is that it can truly be a life-saving test,” said Rapelje, “Using the spirometer, respiratory therapists can diagnose lung problems in their earliest and most treatable stages.”
The test requires the patient to take a deep breath, then blow out through a mouthpiece as fast and hard as possible for six seconds, followed by another deep breath.
More than 340,000 Americans die of lung disease each year and nearly 35 million live with chronic lung disease, according to the American Lung Association. Lung disease is the nation’s number three killer, responsible for one in seven deaths.
“Just as you monitor your blood pressure and pulse, it is vital to keep tabs on your lung health,” Rapelje said. “Ignoring this simple test can mean serious repercussions later on.”
For more information, contact the Respiratory Care Department at (989) 348-0325.
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