REGINA – Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease or COPD is becoming a growing problem in Saskatchewan.
Every year, approximately 5,000 people are diagnosed with the lung disease.
While the majority used to be men, women are now being affected too.
Beth Dueck, 81, is one of those women and admits she’s a tough cookie who’s lived and part of that meant a love for the cigarette.
“I mean I would do about 5 or 6 cigarettes a day,” Dueck recounted.
Unfortunately, it caught up with her. In 2010, Dueck was diagnosed with COPD. Now, she attends a pulmonary rehabilitation program in Saskatoon.
“You learn to breathe, deeper and better” Dueck said.
In Saskatchewan, one in 11 residents over 35 are affected by COPD. In 2011, over 54,000 people lived with the disease which was 13 percent more common in men than women.
Get weekly health news
But things have changed.
“We are seeing a higher prevalence of COPD in women,” Litzenberger said.
The lung association says the increase is largely due to more women picking up smoking than men but overall the diagnosing of COPD has increased as well, leading to a strain on the resources available.
“We’re certainly seeing a little bit more of an economic burden on our healthcare system,” Litzenberger added.
The Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region (RQHR) says they offer a 12-week rehabilitation program in the Queen City but it only runs three times a year.
“We have only two staff members to run the program at present. For the 20 spots available in each 12 week program we receive 30-40 requisitions,” RQHR said in a statement.
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.