Living

When my mom met Karen at the last job she had in early 2000, she found in Karen a funny, supportive, younger version of herself. She began to consider Karen...

It wasn't long ago when the bitter cold of winter was the major discussion again and again. Think about it: weather is something we all have in common. It's something...

Staying hydrated is important for anyone, but if you have a chronic disease like COPD, it’s even more important, and there are many reasons for this. Water helps you regulate...

We often refer to anyone with breathing issues as "lungers." This includes people with diseases like asthma (which I have) and COPD (which you may have). While lungers try to...

Ah, mornings. I can imagine the many faces of me waking up. The "I didn't get enough sleep grump" face. The "I was up all-night coughing" face. Okay, yes, there...

It was not until my mother started using regular inhalers for her COPD symptoms, that I found out what oral thrush was. As the caregiver, I first noticed an abrupt change...

Pulse oximeters serve as essential tools for monitoring oxygen levels. Yet, like any device, they can encounter occasional issues, leading to inaccurate readings. This post aims to simplify the understanding...

It is common for COPD patients to transition at some point to oxygen use. We may associate surgery, ER visits, or hospital stays with nasal cannulas. We are usually focused on...

Living with COPD is not easy. Dealing with the day-to-day aggravations of being short of breath and the anxiety it causes is hard. But on top of that, a lot...

I started the day overwhelmed, coughing, down, tired, and broke. From there I sat down to take my meds and to relax a bit in front of the TV. I...

Some people might get a runny nose or a stuffy nose while on supplemental oxygen. In my case, I have both. You'd think it would be one or the other...

We are approaching the middle of the summer season. The smell of fresh-cut grass and the sounds of the ice cream man will soon waft through the air, and you...

When mom had a bloated belly with COPD, her skin felt tight and stretched. I remember how she would make a joke about looking pregnant, and cover her protruding belly...

Getting through life with COPD can sometimes feel intimidating or confusing, particularly when facing it without support. After receiving the diagnosis of COPD, it can be overwhelming to navigate through...

My mom was an open book. Whatever she was going through, those close to her knew about it. She spoke in plain terms about managing depression with COPD. She didn’t...

As we turn the calendar page to July, we come upon the most American holiday of all: the Fourth of July (Independence Day). Our core memories of this holiday may...

Telehealth use is defined as an appointment with a doctor, nurse, or other health professional by video or phone. In 2021, telemedicine was more commonly used by women and older...

If your doctor suggests trying a non-invasive ventilation (NIV) device like CPAP, BiPAP, or Trilogy ventilators, you might hesitate because you're not fond of the mask feeling on your face...

Having a friend or loved one with COPD can be challenging, both for them and for those who care about them. Here are some ways you can support and assist...

I recently wrote about the positive things that have happened because of having COPD. One of the things listed in that article was all of the new friends that I...