Your lung health is important to us. We have a specialized lung health program led by a respiratory therapist. We focus on asthma, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and smoking cessation.
What is Asthma?
Asthma is a chronic disease that affects the airways in the lungs. The airways are tubes that carry air into and out of your lungs. If you have asthma, your airways can become swollen and narrowed at times which makes it harder to breathe. Common asthma symptoms are shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing or chest tightness.
If you think you may have asthma, talk to your health care provider about your symptoms.
What is COPD?
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. COPD is a long-term lung disease that makes it hard to breathe. Some of the symptoms of COPD are difficulty breathing with physical exertion, chest tightness, coughing or wheezing.
If you are over the age of 40 and currently smoking or used to smoke, you are at risk of COPD. Talk to her healthcare provider for more information.
What to Expect
When you are referred to the lung health program, you will be seen by a Registered Respiratory Therapist/Certified Respiratory Educator (CRE). The CRE will help you understand and manage your symptoms.
Our Lung Health Program supports people living with lung disease. Our program includes:
Initial respiratory assessment
Spirometry (breathing test)
Developing a patient-centered action plan
Follow-up care for patients with chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD and asthma)
We offer individual appointments that are specific to your lung health needs. Together, we’ll come up with a plan to help you manage your symptoms.
How Do I Register for the Lung Health Program?
If you are a patient with the Toronto Western Family Health Team and interested in this program, ask your primary health care provider to refer you. A referral from your health care provider is required for the Lung Health program.
Lung Health Resources
Need help learning to use an inhaler? Want to check if you are using your inhaler correctly?