Clinical

Well, it's that time of year again. The temperatures are starting to drop, schools are back in session and fall is on the horizon. In fact, the leaves are even...

So, computer charting is nice. It gives us healthcare people access to so much information. It makes our charting easier. And it improves safety, or so they say. This is...

Recent studies suggest that people who take aspirin on a regular basis may have better COPD outcomes than people who do not use aspirin. More study is certainly needed in...

There are lots of medicines for treating COPD. Some help end COPD flare-ups. Others are meant to prevent flare-ups and control COPD. Here are some of the basic terms regarding...

When referring to COPD medicines, we often refer to big terms. Some of you may know what they mean, while others do not. So, if you already know this, you...

So you’re diagnosed with COPD. Now what? Well, your doctor will determine what stage you are in. So, what are the COPD stages? How can knowing what stage you are...

A majority of people with COPD are in the early stages of the disease. And they probably don’t even know it. Here’s what to know. The Global Initiative for Obstructive...

While we know that those with COPD can live normal, healthy lives, proper management for the disease is important to maintaining the life you want. This includes having open and...

COPD is generally considered a disease associated with emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Often overlooked are the other chronic conditions sometimes associated with it. These are often referred to as COPD...

Chronic Bronchitis is often defined as a chronic cough. So, what is a cough anyway? What causes it to become chronic? Here’s what to know. Lining your respiratory tract are...

This is Part 2 of Tests and Diagnosis. Here you will learn about the PFT, FEV and more. Part 1 can be found here. A PET scan is an imaging...

There are diseases that may mimic COPD. A wrong diagnosis may lead to the wrong treatment. So, here is what COPD is not. It’s not… It certainly can mimic COPD...

There is no question that tobacco smoking is the biggest risk factor in the development of COPD. However, two new retrospective studies published in the Lancet medical journal have found that...

Most of us think of COPD as a lung disorder. And for the most part, it is. It’s associated with emphysema and chronic bronchitis. But, there is increasing evidence that...

COPDers are at an increased risk of developing lung cancer. Most people with COPD will not develop. Still, researchers are aware of the increased risk. They are working hard to...

Do you ever feel sad, blue or down in the dumps when you think about living with COPD? If so, you're certainly not alone! At least 1 out of every...

So, I get lots of questions about breathing treatments. Here are some of the most common ones, followed by my pithy answers. I think the average treatment lasts about 10...

COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S. and affects 16 million people. Additional millions have the disease, but have not yet been officially diagnosed. So, a...

So, what is a breathing treatment? Who needs them? How do they work? Here’s what to know. Actually, here's some basic terms associated with breathing treatments. It’s a small, handheld...

COPD is best treated with inhaled medicine. However, there are 2 ways of delivering this medication: There are pros and cons to both methods and no one right answer for...