What is the Most Common Symptom of Peripheral Artery Disease?When a person has peripheral artery disease (PAD), it means their limbs are not getting enough blood flow. This results from their blood vessels having plaque built up inside them... By Editorial Team 4 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
What Are the Early Signs and Risk Factors of Coronary Artery Disease?Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common type of heart disease. It is the main cause of death in the United States and around the world. CAD develops when... By Editorial Team 2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
What Is Cystic Fibrosis?Cystic fibrosis is a chronic lung disease. It’s a completely different disease. But it presents very similar to COPD. Here’s all you need to know about cystic fibrosis. CF has... By John Bottrell, RRT4 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments3 comments
Let’s Discuss The Nebulizer MarketNebulizers are a great way of inhaling respiratory medicines. They are relatively small and expected to get smaller. They are relatively simple to use and expected to get simpler. This... By John Bottrell, RRT3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments4 comments
What Is Bronchiectasis?Bronchiectasis is another chronic lung disease. It may present similar to COPD. Some people with COPD may also have bronchiectasis. So, here’s all you need to know about bronchiectasis. It... By John Bottrell, RRT4 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments5 comments
How Long Can Your Oxygen Tubing Be? Many people with COPD require supplemental oxygen. This requires the use of a nasal cannula and tubing. A standard recommendation is to never exceed 50 feet of tubing. So what’s... By John Bottrell, RRT3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments22 comments
Understanding Barrel Chest With COPDIf you have COPD or care for someone who does, you probably are aware of the four most common symptoms of this condition: There are other symptoms, such as fatigue... By Kathi MacNaughton2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments7 comments
What Is Pulmonary Fibrosis?Pulmonary Fibrosis (PF) is another chronic lung disease. It presents with symptoms that may resemble COPD. However, PF affects the lungs in a different way than COPD does. It has... By John Bottrell, RRT3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
Breathlessness vs. Oxygen Saturation with COPD: Understanding the DifferenceShortness of breath, or feeling breathless, is what most people think of as the hallmark symptom of COPD. It's certainly one of the most common symptoms, as well as perhaps... By Kathi MacNaughton4 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments99 comments
The Three Types of NebulizersThere are many respiratory medicines currently on the market. A common way of inhaling these is by using inhalers. Another common way is by using nebulizers. Here is a look... By John Bottrell, RRT4 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments6 comments
Could Statins Improve COPD Outcomes?Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) affects 380 million people around the world, and those numbers are increasing every year. COPD is a chronic, progressive disease of the lungs for which... By Kathi MacNaughton3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments4 comments
Inhaled Steroids May Lower Risk of Lung Cancer in People With COPDRecently I posted about the increased risk of lung cancer in people who have COPD. It seems that once you have COPD, you are 4 to 5 times as likely... By Kathi MacNaughton3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments3 comments
What is the difference between Albuterol and Ipratropium bromide?Both Albuterol and Ipratropium bromide are common medicines that help you breathe when you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Many of the symptoms of COPD–like wheezing, chest tightness, coughing... By Editorial Team 2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments7 comments
Links Between Alpha-1 Deficiency And Asthma/ AllergiesLess than 5% of people with COPD have a rare genetic disorder called alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. This may result in a diagnosis of COPD even if you never smoked. New... By John Bottrell, RRT3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments3 comments
ABCD Assessment Tool Part 1: What Is It?Every few years, the GOLD COPD Guidelines are updated. The 2011 update added what is called an ABCD Assessment Tool. This tool was updated in 2017. So, what is this... By John Bottrell, RRT4 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
What Is Bullectomy?There are some neat treatment options for severe COPD. One such option is a bullectomy. So, what is this? Who qualifies for it? Here’s what to know. A basic description... By John Bottrell, RRT3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments6 comments
Asthma/ COPD Overlap Syndrome (ACOS)Researchers now understand that about 11% of asthmatics also have COPD, and 10-50% of COPDers over the age of 50 also have asthma. When this happens it is generally diagnosed... By John Bottrell, RRT4 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
Risk factors for developing COPD if you have asthma?Earlier I explained "How Asthma Becomes COPD." In this post, I would like to explain what the risk factors are for asthma becoming COPD. Here's what to know. A 2004... By John Bottrell, RRT3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
What Is Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency?There is a rare form of genetic COPD. It’s the only subtype of COPD known to be hereditary. It’s caused because you have a mutated gene. The gene that is... By John Bottrell, RRT3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments9 comments
Medications Used To Treat Asthma And COPDCOPD and asthma are similar diseases. Symptoms felt are similarly, such as shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing. Even the medicines used are similar. But, they are two different... By John Bottrell, RRT4 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments2 comments