COPD Lexicon: Pulse Oximetry Terms To KnowPulse oximeters are neat little tools. They can help you monitor your oxygen levels. They used to only be available in hospitals. Now you can buy them at stores. So... By John Bottrell, RRT3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
New Study Offers Hope for Stopping COPD Lung DamageOne of the most discouraging aspects of COPD is that there is no cure and the lung damage it causes is progressive. It can take years, but eventually, COPD will... By Kathi MacNaughton3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments1 comments
Manifestations of COPDManifestation refers to how a disease presents itself. COPD causes changes to occur inside your lungs. These changes manifest themselves by symptoms you feel. There’s no way I can list... By John Bottrell, RRT4 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments10 comments
Stem Cell Therapy for COPD: What You Need to KnowWhen you have a chronic, incurable disease, it's natural to be interested in research and new therapies that might offer hope and a solution that current treatments do not. Stem... By Kathi MacNaughton5 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments6 comments
What Medicine Works Best For You?Inhalation devices help people live better and longer with COPD. These devices include both inhalers and nebulizer solutions. There are many options to choose from. So, how do you know... By John Bottrell, RRT3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
Early Warning Signs and Symptoms of Flare-UpsEarly warning signs are symptoms felt BEFORE COPD flare-ups occur. They act as warnings that a full-fledged flare-up is impending. When you experience them, actions taken now can prevent flare-ups... By John Bottrell, RRT2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments10 comments
4 Amazing Benefits of Home Oxygen TherapyThey call it home oxygen therapy. It’s when your doctor prescribes for you to use supplemental oxygen at home. It’s ordered when your doctor recognizes it will benefit you. So... By John Bottrell, RRT3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments21 comments
Similarities Between Asthma and COPDCOPD and Asthma are two different diseases. But, they also have many similarities. Both are chronic lung diseases. Both require those diagnosed with them to see doctors on a regular... By John Bottrell, RRT3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
Differences Between an Asthma and COPD DiagnosisCOPD and asthma are both obstructive lung diseases. Classic symptoms of both are shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing. The path to getting to a proper diagnosis of both... By John Bottrell, RRT4 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
Is It a Lung Infection or Just a COPD Flare-up?Because COPD weakens the lungs, people who have COPD are prone to respiratory, or lung, infections. But people who have COPD are also prone to episodes of more intense symptoms... By Kathi MacNaughton4 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments26 comments
Understanding Emphysema vs. Chronic BronchitisDid you know that COPD stands for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and that it is an umbrella term for more than one chronic lung disorder? It's true. COPD is any... By Kathi MacNaughton3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
COPD 101: What Is COPD?COPD is an acronym for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. It’s an umbrella term for lung diseases that cause persistent airflow limitation. Symptoms include coughing, sputum production, chest tightness, and shortness... By John Bottrell, RRT3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
New Procedure For Severe Emphysema: Endobronchial Valve System?I first learned about this in 2015. The product is called the Endobronchial Valve System (EVS). It was supposed to improve the qualify of life for those living with severe... By John Bottrell, RRT3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments24 comments
What You Need to Know About the Link Between COPD and Lung CancerDid you know that people who have COPD are at greater risk for developing lung cancer down the line than people who start out with healthier respiratory systems? Unfortunately, it's... By Kathi MacNaughton4 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments3 comments
Lung Transplants And COPDGetting a lung transplant is an option for some people living with COPD. So, what exactly does this entail? What are the benefits and risks? Is this a good option... By John Bottrell, RRT3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
Supplemental Oxygen May Not Always Be the Best COPD TreatmentSupplemental oxygen is part of the standard and accepted treatment methods for people who have COPD. However, oxygen may not be the best choice for people who are still in... By Kathi MacNaughton3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments2 comments
Targeted Lung Denervation: Promising New Treatment for COPDRecent research shows promising results for a new "minimally-invasive" procedure called targeted lung denervation. This procedure potentially offers a safe alternative to more traditional COPD treatment modalities. This therapy, called TLD... By Kathi MacNaughton3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments1 comments
Home Oxygen Delivery DevicesSome people with COPD have low oxygen levels. This may require them to need oxygen at home. If you require oxygen, you’ll need some form of delivery device to deliver... By John Bottrell, RRT3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments5 comments
A List of All Inhalers Part II: Combination InhalersEditor's note: This is part 2 of a two-part series. Part 1 is titled 'A List of All Inhalers Part I: The Bronchodilators.' There are tons of inhalers for COPD... By John Bottrell, RRT2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments2 comments
Tips for Mastering Your Medication Regime With COPDIf you have COPD, chances are you're taking one or more medications; perhaps even quite a few. As your COPD progresses and if you start to have complicating conditions such... By Kathi MacNaughton6 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments4 comments