Lung disease patients in Elche given classes

ELCHE Hospital has been working towards increasing the quality of life for patients suffering from chronic lung disease over the past three years.

As part of these improvements, they offer classes on how to breathe better as well as giving information on their illness and the various treatments available .

After the first lesson, 30 per cent of patients are able to correctly use their inhalers, while after the final lesson, 90 per cent are.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is usually found in people over 40 who smoke and symptoms include tiredness and coughing.

The training course hopes to show COPD sufferers the need to give up smoking, which will help reduce the symptoms and improve their tolerance to the disease, and the body’s ability to absorb the medication.

It will also reduce the number of times patients need to be admitted to hospital.

Meanwhile, some diabetes patients at Vinalopo Hospital are participating in a cooking workshop this week which aims to help improve their diet.

During the course participants will learn about what the best foods for them to eat are and how to make delicious meals using healthy ingredients.

Teachers include Carmen Navarro, a nutrition expert and Antonio Llobregat, a cooking teacher and Baker at Lope de Vega.

In the Digestive Medicine Department, doctors have been working on making endoscopies painless through general anesthetic.

By Nicole Hallett