Anxiety with COPD: The Physical EffectsFour years ago when I was diagnosed with COPD I started to have panic attacks such as I described in my first anxiety article. The anxiety from the pain, from... By michelle.vincent5 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments6 comments
BiPAP: Helping You Live Longer & Better with COPDPeople with severe COPD are now living better and longer than ever before. One reason for this accomplishment is the use of BiPAP both in hospitals and at home. So, what... By John Bottrell, RRT4 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments29 comments
Emotional Spring Cleaning: Let's Join the Party “Spring won’t let me stay in this house any longer! I must get out and breathe the air deeply again.” – Gustav Mahler Spring is my favorite all of... By michelle.vincent5 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments10 comments
Dos and Don'ts for COPD InhalersInhaled medications are some of the foundations of treatment for COPD. Since COPD is a disease of the airways, it makes sense that medications inhaled right into those airways would... By Kathi MacNaughton2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments6 comments
Simple, DIY Cleaning SolutionsWith “Spring Cleaning” season upon us, it probably comes as no surprise to hear our Spotlight this month centers around tips and tricks for tidying your space. However, many of... By Editorial Team 3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments4 comments
More Than a Feeling: Tired vs COPD TiredSometimes the word tired just doesn’t cut it when it comes to COPD. Although symptoms can vary from person to person, many people affected by COPD have one symptom in... By Editorial Team 3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments125 comments
Tips for Maximizing Quality of Life With COPDLiving with any chronic illness, especially one that makes it hard to breathe, as COPD does, is no walk in the park. But the good news is that with the... By Kathi MacNaughton3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
Heart Failure: Learning the Signs and SymptomsIt has been established that anywhere from 20-70% of people diagnosed with COPD will eventually develop heart failure. It doesn't always happen, but when it does you most certainly want... By John Bottrell, RRT4 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
Six Steps To Finding A Great DoctorSome people think that if you’re healthy, any doctor will do. Right? If you have a chronic lung disease like COPD, you’ll want to find that perfect doctor: one who... By John Bottrell, RRT3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
Your Action Plan for a COPD Flare-UpHopefully, if you carefully follow your COPD treatment plan, your health will stay on an even keel most of the time. It's realistic, however, to expect that from time to... By Kathi MacNaughton3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments17 comments
Spring Travel is Around the Corner!Traveling during the icy and snowy winter can make anyone want to hibernate, and getting out of the house is even more difficult for individuals living with chronic obstructive pulmonary... By American Lung Association2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
My Top 6 Favorite Strategies for Managing COPDIf you’ve ever been to a hospital for COPD, then you’ve probably met a respiratory therapist like me. Once we get you feeling better, the next goal is to make... By John Bottrell, RRT4 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
How to Save Money on Your MedicationsOut of pocket costs for COPD medications can be high. But these medications can be life-saving, or at the least, a great boon to your quality of life. So, I... By Kathi MacNaughton2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
What If I Have To Call An Ambulance?Having to call an ambulance can be very intimidating for some people. Some worry that they will feel sicker than they are and others worry about the cost. I can... By Janet Plank4 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
Women and COPD: How Is It Different?March is Women's History Month and March 8th is International Women's Day, so I thought I would use these events as a reason to honor the many women who are... By Kathi MacNaughton4 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments2 comments
Spacers and Techniques for Using ThemMany people in the COPD.net community talk about "spacers" when discussing treatment, but there are also many people in the community who have never heard of spacers, and naturally, want... By Leon Lebowitz, RRT3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments4 comments
How a Dog Helped My Mom With COPD FlaresThey say dogs are a man's best friend. Well, I'm here to tell you that they can be a woman's best friend and companion too. My mother fought her battle... By Kathi MacNaughton3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments2 comments
Community Feedback: What Scents Trigger Your COPD?For individuals living with COPD, sometimes, it’s hard to know what will trigger a flare-up. While many people enjoy holiday candles, perfume samples, and air fresheners, for a person with... By Editorial Team 3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments4 comments
A Letter to Our CaregiversThank you. Thank you for being our friends and caregivers (or carers). This disease is so very hard and everything you do makes it easier for us. You're in an... By michelle.vincent6 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
Dos and Don'ts for Taking COPD MedicationsWhen you have COPD, medications are often an important part of your treatment plan. Some medications work to control or lessen symptoms, while others are aimed more at comfort. But... By Kathi MacNaughton2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments