Respiratory illnesses can be managed at Rambo

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – A local Health Center is offering two programs to help with emphysema, asthma, and other respiratory illnesses for people at any age.

Rambo Memorial Health Center’s Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program is for adults with respiratory illnesses who want to be active and involved in the community again. Registered Nurse, Greg Gaumer said it’s a six-week long program, which meets three times a week, for one hour sessions.

“We have treadmills, bikes, ellipticals, and rowing machines,”Gaumer said. “Before everyone starts we take their blood pressure and their oxygen. Then during the exercise we’re constantly monitoring their pulse, if necessary their blood pressure, and oxygen concentration.”

The Pediatric Asthma Program is for children and families who need extra help managing the child’s asthma. Registered Nurse Shannon Bell explained the Rambo will work and share information with the child’s primary physician and school nurse.

“An action plan is put together so the child and the family know what their triggers are and they can try to prevent an asthma attack before it happens,”Bell said. “So that’s what they set in place with the parents and with the school nurse.”

For anyone interested in either program can walk in see if they are qualified, fill out paperwork, and the adults will need to perform a five-minute breathing test. For more information call Rambo Memorial Health Center, (740) 452-5401.