Living

Editors Note: It is important to consult with your doctor before beginning any exercise routine. In one COPD forum, there was a question asked: What's one topic related to living...

Habits, which are like the many sides of daily life, are often what hold our days together. For people with COPD, these habits are even more important and require a...

When I think about the time I spent taking care of my mom's journey with COPD, each letter of the alphabet brings back a different and important memory. Love, understanding...

My sister called an emergency meeting of “The Caregiver’s Club.” After mom’s diagnosis with COPD, we kids took turns being up in her business. It’s something that she loved and...

While I was growing up, severe asthma was my constant companion. When I became a respiratory therapist, I expected to connect with short-of-breath patients, assuming they'd be like me—fellow asthmatics...

In our community, the need for ventilator support is a shared reality. Among our conversations, terms like "ventilator," "Trilogy," "AVAPS," "BiPAP," and "CPAP" frequently surface. These terms hold diverse meanings...

The day was a tough one. I was so tired. Something triggered my asthma. COPD could be a culprit too. My osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia both had me in pain. I...

I'm going to Birmingham, Alabama, for an Alpha-1 lung study. Ever since I was diagnosed with Alpha-1, I have tried to do everything I can to help find a cure...

Imagine this scenario: you are in a store, wearing a mask to stay safe. Suddenly, you start coughing, sneezing, and wheezing. The need to catch your breath forces a pause...

After my first serious exacerbation, I was too weak to walk across the room. I was devastated and scared. A very serious case of pneumonia had almost put me in my grave. ...

Rare Disease Day is always held on the last day of February, which is usually February 28th, but this year is Leap year, so it will be held on the...

COPD is a progressive chronic illness that starts slowly over a long period of time. Most of us are aware of the symptoms but we're not sure what these symptoms...

It's been over 13 years since I was first diagnosed with COPD. I wasn't just diagnosed with COPD that day, but also with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (Alpha-1). Alpha-1 is a...

As a dedicated respiratory therapist, a significant part of my role involves caring for inpatients, including those managing COPD. While my primary focus is on inpatient care, working in a...

Many people who have COPD have a hard time during the cold winter months. COPD is a lung disease that gets worse over time and causes coughing, trouble breathing, and...

I don’t need a dating app myself as I have been happily married to my husband, Dave, for over 30 years, and together many more. I see so many of...

Over the years, COPDers have asked if it's possible to have a relationship while having COPD. Actually, that's a question asked by people who suffer from all types of chronic...

I've always found a unique connection with my COPD patients, thanks to my own battle with severe asthma. It fosters some enlightening conversations. The interesting aspect of asthma is its...

If you have read part 1, you have read what can happen to your bowels or bladder when fighting for a breath of air. What I didn't share in that...

I have observed that an increased number of my COPD patients have been getting CAT scans. I have also noticed commercials on TV that echo the message: "If you have...