Living

It was about 7 am, lightly snowing, and still very dark outside. I needed to be sure that I got to work early because I didn’t want my co-workers and...

Sometimes you present to your doctor with a complaint. You are experiencing symptoms. And you tell your doctor these symptoms. And the doctor has no clue what’s wrong with you...

There are 4 stages of COPD. Stages 1 and 2 are the "Early Stages." Many people in these early stages are undiagnosed. Many feel no symptoms at all. But, studies...

Anyone with any sort of breathing problems and/or lung disease know that some days are just HARD. Using up all of our energy to breathe leaves very little left for...

Triggers are things that cause flare-ups. They are usually things outside your body or the environment around you. Although they can also be things occurring inside your body. Some triggers...

In this series, we discuss causes of anxiety for those facing a physical illness like COPD and its side effects. Phrases in quotes are the words of our community members...

In 1969, I was 15 years old. And so, while I was not exactly, a “child of the 60’s,” (I was a little young for Woodstock!), I was pretty close...

Over the last 8 years, the most common question I have seen asked by COPD patients undoubtedly would be “is there a cure”? This question is asked by every patient...

If you were like me, you were raised around the wonderful smell of perfumes and colognes. I couldn’t wait to try on my mom’s, as well as friend’s mom’s colognes...

There must be some kind of fine line between inspiration and consternation. I find it very easy to become encouraged when I read about the experiences others have had with...

When my dad was sick, before he died, I was struggling. My sister-in-law and I took over his care at his home. Mom was struggling too. Everyone kept asking how...

We should all be aware that the progression of one disease can often lead to deficiencies in other internal organs. Our lungs and heart make up an important part of...

Are you one of the many COPD patients who are afraid to leave their own home? Getting out of your home can be a challenge both physically and mentally. It’s...

I’ll be 65 on my next birthday. I’m already retired and I have a number of friends who are beginning to file their retirement papers and do all those things...

A few weeks ago, tears trickled out my eyes. With dry eyes, that doesn’t happen easily. Later when I talked to my hubby, I told him that today is one...

It’s a common enough statement here in the U.S. Simply put, breathing in air that is almost-sealed shut, keep the cold away, home in the winter, is probably stale and...

It’s the middle of the night and the power goes out. Are you ready? You’re wondering how I know? It just happened to me. My oxygen machine beeps loudly when...

Anxiety is a well-known byproduct of having COPD. Not every person with COPD will experience full-blown anxiety, but is it surprising that common symptoms such as these might make you...

So, you smoke and want to quit. Here are 6 things to avoid doing. This is all in an effort to make it easier to quit smoking for good. You...

As the discharge nurse was going over my meds, I was anticipating explaining all of this to the pharmacist. Since being diagnosed with COPD, my medication regiment increased substantially. I...