Living

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...

When you get a COPD diagnosis, you may feel as though the bottom just fell out of your world -- and your future. After all, it's a chronic illness that...

From speaking with other folks who have COPD and/or chatting online in dedicated groups, you sometimes pick up some good tips for dealing with things or addressing situations. Here are...

So, you have COPD. You’ve been seeing a doctor. You and your doctor developed a COPD Action Plan. You have certain medicines you have on hand. You may have some...

Having a chronic illness, such as COPD, sometimes leaves a person feeling down. It’s understandable. Chronic illnesses can affect us. This COPD or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, often reminds a...

From speaking with other folks who have COPD and/or chatting online in dedicated groups, you sometimes pick up some good tips for dealing with things or addressing situations. These are...

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...