People of Westmeath urged to love their lungs

Free lung capacity testing in Midland Regional Hospital Mullingar to mark World Spirometry Day on Wednesday June 27Olympic champion Dr Ronnie Delany and 12 leading Irish lung health charities have joined forces to urge the public to take a simple, fast and accurate test to measure their lung health.The Midland Regional Hospital Mullingar is one of a number of centres around the country that will offer free lung testing (spirometry) and lung health advice on Wednesday June 27, 8.30am to 4pm.The Love your Lungs campaign aims to encourage people to get their lungs tested, particularly if they have symptoms such as shortness of breath, persistent cough or wheeze.Testing can provide an early indication of diseases such as asthma, lung fibrosis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Early detection of these diseases can greatly improve outcomes and quality of life for patients."Spirometry is a simple and painless test that takes just a few minutes," said Dr Mark Sheehy, consultant respiratory physician at the Midland Regional Hospital Mullingar."The good news is that once detected, lung diseases such as COPD and asthma can be managed, but the earlier you start treatment the better. It's also important to remember that many lung diseases can be prevented by keeping your lungs healthy through not smoking and staying active," he said.World Spirometry Day 2012 - Midland Regional Hospital Mullingar Wednesday June 278.30am-4pm: Free spirometry (lung testing) in the PFT Lab, Level B9am-4pm: Advice on COPD, inhalers, smoking cessation and the benefits of exercise in Observation Room Level B, beside MAUwww.lunghealth.ie