Respiratory Disorders
Respiratory disorders are a group of conditions that affect the lungs and airways, making it difficult for the body to breathe properly and exchange gases like oxygen and carbon dioxide. These disorders can be acute or chronic and range in severity. Common respiratory disorders include asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pneumonia, bronchitis, and lung cancer. Causes may involve infections, allergies, smoking, environmental pollutants, or genetic factors. Symptoms often include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and fatigue. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment - such as medications, lifestyle changes, or respiratory therapies - are essential to managing symptoms and improving quality of life.
Maine Resources
MaineHealth - Lung Care - Offers comprehensive lung care services for conditions such as asthma, COPD, and cystic fibrosis. Their expert team provides testing, diagnosis, treatments, medical management, surgery, and patient education to support respiratory health.
MaineGeneral Health - Augusta & Waterville - MaineGeneral Pulmonary provides specialized care for respiratory conditions, with locations in Augusta and Waterville. Their services include pulmonary care and an Asthma Education Program to assist patients in managing their conditions effectively.
Central Maine Pulmonary - Lewiston - Specializes in pulmonology and sleep medicine. They offer services such as ultrasounds, biopsies, and patient education, with evening hours available on Tuesdays for patient convenience.
Northern Light Pulmonology - Bangor - Provides comprehensive care for respiratory and sleep disorders. Their multidisciplinary team includes pulmonologists and critical care specialists, offering services like pulmonary function testing.
St. Mary’s Health System - Lewiston - Focuses on diagnosing and treating a wide range of pulmonary disorders, including asthma, COPD, lung cancer, and sleep apnea. Their dedicated team utilizes the latest medical advancements to ensure optimal respiratory health.
Maine CDC Asthma Prevention and Control Program - Offers free resources to help individuals manage asthma. Services include asthma action plans, educational materials, and support for asthma management in schools and childcare settings.
Regional Resources
Massachusetts
Brigham and Women's Hospital - The Lung Center (Boston, MA) - Offers comprehensive care for various respiratory conditions, integrating the expertise of subspecialists across multiple disciplines.
Baystate Health Pulmonary Rehabilitation Services (Western MA) - Provides a multidisciplinary pulmonary rehabilitation program, the only independent one in western Massachusetts, aiming to improve patients' quality of life.
Spaulding Rehabilitation Network (Massachusetts) - Offers customized pulmonary rehabilitation programs, focusing on reducing dependence on oxygen and enhancing independence for patients with chronic respiratory diseases.
Holyoke Medical Center Pulmonary Rehabilitation (Holyoke, MA) - Provides outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation under board-certified pulmonologists, addressing various respiratory diagnoses including COPD, asthma, and pulmonary hypertension.
Lahey Hospital & Medical Center Pulmonary Rehabilitation (Burlington, MA) - Offers rehabilitation care for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, emphysema, and other lung conditions.
Emerson Health Pulmonary Rehabilitation (Concord, MA) - Emerson Health's eight-week program includes 16 sessions guided by a registered respiratory therapist, focusing on individualized exercise training and education.
Boston Medical Center Pulmonary Rehabilitation (Boston, MA) - Boston Medical Center offers a 12-week pulmonary rehabilitation program with 24 sessions, combining supervised exercise and education to help patients manage chronic lung diseases.
Health New England Care Management (Springfield, MA) - Health New England provides care management programs to assist members with chronic conditions like asthma and COPD, offering support and guidance for effective health management.
Massachusetts Department of Public Health - Respiratory Illness Reporting - The department offers dashboards providing data on hospital admissions and emergency visits related to acute respiratory diseases, including COVID-19, influenza, and RSV.
Boston Public Health Commission - Respiratory Illness Dashboard - The commission maintains dashboards showing trends in COVID-19, influenza, and RSV within Boston, aiding in monitoring disease spread and severity.
Rhode Island
Care New England Pulmonary Medicine - Provides expert diagnostic and treatment services for various lung and airway conditions, utilizing minimally invasive techniques and multidisciplinary approaches.
Center for Advanced Lung Care - Brown University Health - Offers comprehensive care for patients with advanced lung and heart-lung diseases, providing specialized, personalized, and compassionate care.
Rhode Island Department of Health - Respiratory Viruses - Provides information on respiratory viruses such as COVID-19, flu, and RSV, including current data trends and guidance on protection.
New Hampshire
Elliot Hospital Pulmonary Rehabilitation - Offers a pulmonary rehabilitation program that includes education, exercise training, and support for individuals with chronic lung diseases.
Southern New Hampshire Health Pulmonary Rehabilitation - Provides an eight-week pulmonary rehabilitation program for individuals with chronic lung diseases, including supervised exercise sessions and educational components.
Vermont
Vermont Department of Health - Respiratory Disease Resources - Offers comprehensive information on respiratory illnesses, including asthma, RSV, and COVID-19. Resources include the Vermont Asthma Action Plan, guidance for asthma-friendly schools, and seasonal updates on respiratory virus prevention. The department also provides educational materials for school nurses and the public to manage and prevent respiratory conditions.
Vermont Lung Center - University of Vermont - Dedicated to research and training aimed at improving health related to respiratory diseases and critical care illnesses. As a member of the American Lung Association Airways Clinical Research Centers, it conducts groundbreaking research in asthma and COPD. The center also participates in the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutic Development Network, contributing to the development of new treatments.
Central Vermont Medical Center - Respiratory Therapy Services - Provides a range of respiratory therapy services, assisting patients with conditions like bronchitis and asthma. Services include diagnostic testing, treatment in emergency settings, and support for smoking cessation. The respiratory therapists work under physician direction to deliver both inpatient and outpatient care.
Rutland Regional Medical Center - Pulmonary Rehabilitation - Offers an eight-week pulmonary rehabilitation program designed to help patients manage lung disease symptoms, improve breathing, and enhance quality of life. The program includes education and supervised exercise, aiming to reduce shortness of breath and hospital visits for conditions such as COPD, asthma, and pulmonary hypertension.
Connecticut
Connecticut Department of Public Health - Respiratory Viral Disease Surveillance - Conducts surveillance for respiratory viral diseases, including COVID-19, influenza, and RSV. The department provides current and historical data to understand disease trends and informs the public through updated guidance and resources.
American Lung Association - Connecticut Chapter - Offers support and resources for individuals living with lung diseases such as COPD, asthma, and pulmonary fibrosis. Programs include Better Breathers Club meetings, which provide both in-person and virtual support, as well as educational materials to help manage lung health.
New Haven Health Department - Respiratory Illness Resources - Provides information on respiratory illnesses, including influenza, COVID-19, RSV, tuberculosis, and the common cold. Resources include prevention strategies, vaccination information, and a respiratory illness dashboard to monitor local trends.
Connecticut Office of Early Childhood - Respiratory Illness Guidance - Offers guidance on managing respiratory viral diseases in child care and youth camp settings. The guidance aligns with CDC recommendations and covers diseases such as COVID-19, flu, and RSV, aiming to protect families and communities.
National Resources
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) - Provides resources through its "Learn More Breathe Better" program, focusing on lung health education and disease management. The institute supports research on lung diseases and offers tools for patients and healthcare providers to manage conditions like asthma and COPD.
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) - Dedicated to improving the lives of people with asthma and allergies. It offers educational programs, advocacy efforts, and research initiatives. The foundation provides resources for patients and caregivers, including support groups and information on managing asthma and allergic diseases.
American Thoracic Society (ATS) - A professional organization focused on advancing respiratory health through research, education, and advocacy. It publishes peer-reviewed journals and provides clinical guidelines on pulmonary diseases, critical illnesses, and sleep-related breathing disorders. The society also offers continuing medical education for healthcare professionals.
Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF) - Dedicated to improving the lives of those affected by pulmonary fibrosis. It provides support and education resources for patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers. The foundation also funds research to advance the understanding and treatment of pulmonary fibrosis.
National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) - Responsible for credentialing respiratory care professionals in the U.S. It offers examinations and certifications to ensure the competency of practitioners. The board also provides resources for continuing education and professional development.
Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) - Accredits respiratory care educational programs in the United States. It ensures that these programs meet established standards to prepare competent respiratory therapists. The commission collaborates with professional organizations to maintain the quality of respiratory care education.
Healthy People 2030 – Respiratory Disease Objectives - Outlines objectives to improve respiratory health nationwide. It focuses on increasing prevention, detection, and treatment of respiratory diseases like asthma and COPD. The initiative aims to reduce environmental triggers and promote early diagnosis and management.
MedlinePlus – Lung Disease Resources - Offers a comprehensive collection of resources on lung diseases. It provides information on various conditions, including asthma, COPD, and cystic fibrosis, with links to reputable organizations and educational materials for patients and families.