Living

Once you are diagnosed with COPD, emphysema or chronic bronchitis, it is only a matter of time before your first exacerbation strikes. Chances are, it will hit you quite unaware...

My colleague, John Bottrell, recently wrote a terrific article about lung transplants here at COPD.net. It’s an excellent article and really lays out the whole story about the history of...

Editors note: This post was written by the author the day prior to their birthday. The post was not published on this date. Tomorrow is my birthday – my 65th...

From time to time, most everyone who has COPD will experience what is called an exacerbation, or flare-up. An exacerbation is a medical term for when your usual COPD symptoms...

Recently, someone in our COPD community here on this site asked, "How do you know when the end is near with COPD?" it's a valid question and one that may...

We recently asked our COPD community on Facebook if there were any symptoms that took them by surprise. Many respondents answered that they were surprised about how COPD has affected...

After a brief examination the other day, my pulmonologist, Lisa, was looking over her notes and asked me, “When was the last time you saw your cardiologist?” “My cardiologist? I...

If possible, it’s a good idea to keep working despite COPD. Certainly COPD can pose some problems in the workplace. But, working is great for your financial, mental, and physical...

I’m usually an optimistic person – despite living with COPD for eight years now; 8 years that I know of in any event. Who knows – I’m sure it was...

Probably the most valuable thing I have learned as an adult is the incredible importance of boundary setting, both when it comes to my health, and in my personal and...

Some of the things that I enjoy most on Facebook are the inspirations and quotes that people post. Some are funny, some not so much, some might even reach out...

As you may already know, lung volume reduction surgery is an operation that may be available for patients with severe emphysema where COPD has damaged lung tissue to the point...

Have you noticed that the effects of 'bloat' don’t normally bother you in morning or afternoons? My symptoms of bloat and COPD were traceable. I was OK in the morning...

I read. All the time. My whole family read quite a bit when we were kids. Mostly because my Dad forbade television watching on a school night. “Read a book!”...

Yes, this idea has been bandied about by my doctors. In fact, my Internist actually wrote COPD as my diagnosis in my chart following one of my visits. But, I...

There is still so much we don't understand about COPD. But we do know there are some specific risk factors, both for developing COPD and for your health stability once...

The definition of COPD is changing. This is good news, in a way. It kind of forces us to keep up on our COPD research. It keeps us on our...

If you’re fortunate to have attended a meeting of a COPD support group, I think you’ll agree – they are wonderful. They are good for the spirit and the soul...

Short of having cancer, a diagnosis of COPD is probably one of the most devastating things that could happen to you. COPD is a slow, progressive disease that will become worse...

Traveling can be a stressful time for anyone. Having COPD and preparing to travel can seem like an impossible task. Not to mention the possibility of encountering the plethora of...