Breathing difficulty support group for nenagh

An open night will take place in Nenagh next week with the aim of establishing a support group for people with breathing difficulties.
Patients with COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) from all over North Tipperary, Offaly and Clare are invited to attend the open night, which will take place at the Abbey Court Hotel on Tuesday May 5th at 8pm (note change of time from last week's advert).
COPD is a lung disease that makes it difficult to breathe. COPD is made up of two diseases: chronic bronchitis and emphysema. COPD signs and symptoms include breathlessness, fatigue, wheezing, constant cough, coughing up mucus, and chest tightness. There are many things that can lead to COPD. The most common cause is cigarette smoking. Some other causes are air pollution, harsh chemicals and gases, and genetics.
A pulmonary rehab programme is run by Respiratory Clinical Nurse Specialist Eilis Gleeson and Respiratory Physio Brian Fitzgibbon at Nenagh hospital. Patients are referred to the programme by GPs and local consultants, along with consultants  and respiratory physicians from University Hospital Limerick, Dr Aidan O'Brien and Dr Brian Casserly. The pulmonary rehab programme is open to patients with a wide cohort of respiratory diseases, including COPD, asthma and pulmonary fibrosis, to name just a few!
The programme is eight weeks long and consists of patients committing to attend two sessions weekly, where they complete a circuit programme and are provided with education to equip them on how to manage and live with their respiratory disease. Patients really enjoy the programme, where they meet patients with similar conditions and are in a supportive environment where they can learn how to self manage their disease at home, leading to an increased quality of life along with reduced hospital admissions.
On the night next Tuesday, Dr O'Brien and Dr Casserly will be in attendance along with Damien Peelo, Head of COPD Ireland. We will also have a patient from Waterford who is actively involved with his local support group and who will share his experience of the benefits of such a group on the night. The floor will be opened to the public for a question and answer session, where the public will have the opportunity to discuss their concerns with the leading consultant physicians.
We would really encourage and welcome all members of the public who suffer with COPD and other respiratory diseases along with their families to attend on the night for a cup of tea or coffee and help establish this much needed support group.