WIMMERA health practitioners have urged residents to see a doctor in order to curb high rates of respiratory and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the region.
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Wimmera Health Care Group respiratory nurse educator Heather Macdonald encouraged anyone with symptoms to not put off visiting their general practitioner.
“Being short of breath is not normal as you get older,” she said.
“We slow down as we get older, but chronic shortness of breath that’s ongoing is not normal.”
Doctor and lecturer Eli Dabscheck visited the Wimmera on Thursday and addressed 25 general practitioners and other health professionals on new guidelines to investigate and manage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
The guidelines are based on the latest research into the condition.
Statistics released last year showed the Grampians Medicare Local region was the highest in Australia for respiratory system diseases and eighth for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
The Wimmera is above state and national averages for respiratory system diseases and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Ms Macdonald said high rates of smoking in the region contributed to the problem.
“Smoking is the biggest cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease that we know,” she said.
“But there are a lot of occupations and exposures that cause damage. Occupations that involve particles – farmers with grain dust, carpenters with fine dust particles, spray painters, cleaners, hairdressers.”
Ms Macdonald said people in rural areas tended to put things off and continue working.
“We have a really high incidence and I do think that particularly rural people are busy,” she said.
“They tend to get on with their work, but the message is ‘don’t put it off’.”
She said chronic obstructive pulmonary disease could be slowed with early detection.
“COPD is very insidious and slow and you’ve got it a long time before you recognise the symptoms,” she said.
“Outcomes are really good once diagnosis is made.”
Ms Macdonald said people should write down symptoms including more mucus, frequent or changed coughing and frequent chest infections.
While there is no cure, stopping smoking and having influenza and pneumonia vaccinations and pulmonary rehabilitation can slow the progression.
“We run a pulmonary rehab program in Horsham and people can contact Wimmera Base Hospital on 5381 9111 for details,” Ms Macdonald said.
