Respiratory Counselling and Education
Lung health is essential to overall well-being, and feeling unable to breathe comfortably can significantly impact your quality of life.
Whether you live with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, lung cancer, cystic fibrosis, sleep apnea, or other occupational lung diseases, respiratory counselling at Cook’s Pharmacy can help you receive the care and support you need to manage your respiratory condition and enjoy life more fully.
Speak to a Pharmacist About Respiratory Counselling
What is Respiratory Counselling?
Respiratory counselling is multi-faceted support offered by pharmacists and other health care professionals.
The primary goal of respiratory counselling is to help you (or your loved one) manage challenges with lung function while reducing allergens and irritants that can worsen your condition. In addition, respiratory counselling includes support to help you keep your body strong, nourished, and resilient.
Did you know? The Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) typically covers all respiratory counselling at pharmacies up to a certain amount, making it a very accessible option for people living with respiratory disease.
Respiratory Counselling at Cook's Pharmacy
At Cook's Pharmacy, we are pleased to offer various respiratory counselling supports, including:
- Lung function testing
- Asthma and COPD action plan development
- Allergy and irritant identification
- Smoking cessation resources, medications, and supports
- Diet and exercise counselling
- Inhaler technique instruction
To learn more about how respiratory counselling can help you or a loved one, contact us or stop by one of our pharmacies in Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, Wellesley, or New Hamburg.
Lung Function Testing
If you are unsure of how optimally your lungs are functioning, a lung function test (also known as spirometry) is a great place to start understanding your personal lung health.
Lung function tests are commonly used to measure how much air you can inhale and how much (and how quickly) you can exhale.
As lung function tests are used to diagnose conditions that affect breathing (such as asthma and COPD), they are recommended if you or a loved one struggle with shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, or tightness in the chest. This type of test is also suitable to help monitor your lung function as part of your disease management plan.
Asthma and COPD Action Plans
Asthma, COPD, and other respiratory concerns can feel debilitating when you or a loved one are first diagnosed. These diseases can significantly reduce your sleep quality or limit your ability to complete physical activities you once enjoyed. However, learning to manage your chronic respiratory disease can help you reduce your symptoms and get back to leading an active life that you love.
At Cook's Pharmacy, our pharmacists are trained in respiratory counselling and can help you make a plan to manage your lung conditions effectively. Through asthma and COPD action planning, you will work with a pharmacist to identify your triggers and discuss how to avoid them. You will also have an opportunity to discuss smoking cessation strategies and diet and exercise plans if needed.
Talk to Cook’s Pharmacy about Respiratory Therapy
Don’t wait to resume running around with your children or grandchildren, going for walks, enjoying your hobbies, or playing the sports you love.
Chat With a Pharmacist About Managing Asthma or COPD
Help Identify Allergens and Irritants
Dodging COPD or asthma triggers can be difficult, particularly if you do not know which factors in your environment cause flare-ups or attacks.
This is why respiratory counselling includes support to help you identify your most triggering allergens and irritants.
Most often, respiratory disease triggers include exposure to:
- Illnesses like the flu or the common cold
- Tobacco smoke
- Air pollution
- Fumes from chemicals or cleaning supplies
- Allergens such as pollen, dust, pets, and mold
Let a Cook's pharmacist help you identify your allergens and irritants earlier, so you can better manage your respiratory health concerns and get back to doing the things you love with ease!
Smoking Cessation
Have you tried to quit smoking or vaping before but found it difficult to do on your own? You're not alone!
Each year, thousands of people in Ontario make the decision to stop smoking but struggle to stick with the difficult lifestyle change. Luckily, there are many resources and supports at pharmacies to help you stop smoking for good.
We know quitting is one of the toughest habits to quit. That is why we offer smoking cessation services at all our Cook's Pharmacy locations.
These supports include a readiness assessment, a free consultation, and follow-up counselling sessions to help you reach your goals and celebrate your successes. We also offer over-the-counter nicotine replacement products to help you crush cravings.
Did you know? The Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB) covers many smoking cessation services for up to one year! In addition, if you are 18 years of age or older, you may also be eligible for medications covered by ODB to help make your transition away from nicotine more comfortable.
Ready to start your smoke-free journey? Contact Cook's Pharmacy today to get support and resources to help you stick with it!
Quit Smoking With Support from Cook’s Pharmacy
Diet and Exercise Counselling to Manage Respiratory Diseases
While you may want to avoid exercise if you experience challenges with lung function, a regular exercise routine can actually help strengthen muscles in your chest that ease shortness of breath.
In addition, exercise helps keep your body healthy by boosting your immune system and better equipping you to fight off infections that can cause COPD flare-ups or asthma attacks.
Did you know that diet also plays a significant role in managing respiratory diseases? Or that your muscles may be working up to ten times harder to help you breathe compared to someone living without diseases like COPD?
For this reason, eating a nutritious diet and maintaining a healthy weight is critical to increasing your resiliency and keeping your body strong.
Talk to a Pharmacist about Diet
and Exercise Plans
Would you like one-on-one support to find exercises and meal plans to help
manage your respiratory concern? Then contact Cook’s Pharmacy to get started!
Talk to a Pharmacist About One-on-One Respiratory Support
Inhaler Technique and Proper Use Instruction
If you are new to living with asthma, COPD, or other respiratory diseases, using inhalers may take some getting used to at first. At Cook's Pharmacy, we take time to show you how to use your inhaler correctly – just like we would for any other medications prescribed to you.
It is our pleasure to answer any questions you may have about managing your health concerns or taking your medications safely and effectively. We offer expert education and instruction in a judgement-free zone for every patient who walks through our doors.
Would you like support for your respiratory disease? Cook’s Pharmacy is here to help with all your respiratory therapy needs!
Contact us today to speak to a pharmacist about testing your lung function, making a disease management action plan, identifying triggers, quitting smoking, exercising and eating well, and using your new inhaler.
You are just one step away from living a happier, healthier life! Get in touch with Cook's Pharmacy to get started!
Talk to a Pharmacist About Respiratory Disease Management
Any medical or pharmaceutical information on this site is provided as an information resource only and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. This information does not create any patient-pharmacist relationship, and should not be used as a substitute for professional diagnosis and treatment.
Please consult your healthcare provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition.
Cook’s Pharmacy and its subsidiaries expressly disclaim responsibility and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site.