Living

You have likely heard me say before that we are unique in our own diseases because we have other health conditions, medications, etc. These other health issues are called comorbidities...

COPD, a lung disease that causes breathing problems due to inflammation and blockages in the airways, has long been associated with smoking. In fact, smoking is the most common risk...

COPD stands for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Falling under COPD is emphysema, chronic bronchitis and Alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency, which is the genetic form of COPD. This lung disease is the...

I read. A lot. I used to have a 90-minute commute by train to my job - both ways - and I might read 2 or 3 paperback pulp fiction...

You might not think COPD and exercise go well together, but actually they do. The fact is, exercise offers concrete benefits for all of us. This is true, whether we...

One of the constant tests I had done while in the hospital was Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) Test. It is a test to measures acidity of oxygen and carbon dioxide...

When you have a chronic illness, it's easy to feel all alone, as though you're the only you know who is dealing with the challenges. But, if the chronic illness...

A mere 3 days after a month long stay in the hospital, the specialist’s office called. They had a request from the hospital for an immediate opening. They would accommodate...

Since the symptoms of COPD can be varied and debilitating, including shortness of breath during daily activities, it can often be a challenge for those with the condition to complete...

Read Part 1 to find out more about Kevin's initial thoughts on this COPD application. I spoke recently with Kristen Willard, the COPD Foundation’s Vice President of Population Health &...

Let’s face it! People with lung diseases spend WAY too much time in doctor’s offices. Sometimes we don’t have to wait very long. But, most often that’s not the case...

Shortness of breath is one of the most common symptoms of COPD. Many people who have COPD feel like their chest is so tight that they just can’t breathe. They...

Often times we Respiratory Therapists have to take on the role of teacher. We do our part to fix you. Then we teach you. That's what we do. For me...

I was recovering from my first major exacerbation and had been bedridden for more than 3 weeks. After being in a coma, I had experienced a fair amount of muscle...

In this series, we discuss causes of anxiety for those facing physical illness and its side effects. Phrases in bold are the words of our community members across various conditions...

Now that you have found the perfect bag, let’s talk about filling it. Have a look around you. What things are you unable to live without?  What if you are...

Having COPD is a struggle in itself. Managing our disease when it comes to symptoms, triggers, medications, flare ups etc is not always easy. We constantly need to be on...

Pain can be classified as an “invisible” symptom. Unlike a broken arm in a cast or a bleeding wound, pain cannot be immediately seen. Because of this, it’s possible for...

In 2012, Hurricane Sandy struck the Northeast United States with a vengeance. I wrote about this previously in part 1. Speeds as high as 89 mph were recorded when Sandy...

COPD is an umbrella term. Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are the most common diseases to fall under this umbrella. But, sometimes asthma qualifies. So, when does asthma qualify as COPD?...