If you can blow out the candles on your birthday cake, you can take a simple breathing test that reveals how well your lungs function. Piedmont Fayette Hospital is celebrating lung health day and will offer free screening and education on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, sleep disorders, and smoking cessation Wednesday, Nov. 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the 1279 building, west of the hospital.

An estimated 14 million Americans suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, also known as emphysema or chronic bronchitis, and don't even know it, while around 10 million Americans have a confirmed diagnosis and struggle everyday to live with the disease's affects. It is the one of the fastest growing diseases in the U.S. and the fourth leading cause of death worldwide. The disease is primarily caused by smoking, but also by exposure to occupational dusts and chemicals and by genetic conditions.

"In the past several years we have seen an increase in the number of people who suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease," said Anita Russell, B.S., R.R.T., clinical manager at Piedmont Fayette Hospital. "Respiratory therapists are the frontline providers of respiratory care and have made educating the public a top priority because of the growing trend."

Piedmont Fayette Hospital also offers sleep disorder and pulmonary function testing. A pulmonary support group meets monthly to discuss issues related to COPD and smoking cessation classes are offered on a regular basis. For more information, please call 770-719-6918.

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