Managing Rain and HumidityIt’s no secret that the weather can affect your COPD, with rain and humidity topping the list of potential exacerbation triggers. Summer is upon us, and rising temperatures can lead... By Editorial Team 3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments19 comments
Find Your COPD BuddiesWhen I was first diagnosed with COPD (I have asthma/COPD overlap) in my mid 20s I was devastated and confused. I had never smoked a day in my life yet... By Theresa Cannizzaro, Respiratory Therapist2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Stuffy Noses and COPD: What’s the Deal?Many people with breathing disorders like COPD also suffer from medical conditions that may make it hard to breathe through your nose. Here’s all you need to know. A 2007... By John Bottrell, RRT4 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments52 comments
More Than An IllnessBeethoven was a phenomenal composer, so famous for his music that we still love it. He also became deaf in his thirties.Frida Kahlo was a painter whose self portraits are... By michelle.vincent3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Anxiety and Fear With COPDYou may know what it’s like to struggle to breathe, or to worry about having a panic attack, so you are possibly afraid to go out, go to bed, or... By Janet Plank2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments50 comments
Eating Well While Eating Frugally Pt 2: Cooking and Recipes!Now that I'm in stage three COPD and am constantly fatigued I don't cook every day. I'd like to, simply because I really love cooking but it's not possible. My... By michelle.vincent9 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments2 comments
The Heat is On: Effects of Hot Weather on COPDI'm a freak of nature I'm so hot. I need someone who'll continually fan me, bathe my face with a cold washcloth, shade me with a parasol, and feed me... By michelle.vincent5 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments1 comments
Intubation and VentilatorsChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a term that is used to describe a group of lung conditions that, among other things, make it difficult to breathe well. Typically, COPD... By Leon Lebowitz, RRT6 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
The Importance of My HobbyI firmly believe that people with COPD and other chronic illnesses need to have some way to escape it. I believe we do better when we have goals and something... By michelle.vincent3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments6 comments
Oxygen Levels and Supplemental OxygenWhen you have a chronic lung disease like COPD, doctors will often monitor your oxygen levels. If your oxygen levels are low, doctors may prescribe supplemental oxygen. So, what are... By John Bottrell, RRT4 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments41 comments
Eating Well While Eating Frugally Pt 1: How to ShopOther than helping my mom bake, I hated to cook when I was younger. I used to joke that I didn't cook; I reheated. Processed foods and premade entrées from... By michelle.vincent7 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
I’m Being Discharged...Now What?So, you’ve just spent the last 6 days in the hospital due to a flare-up of your COPD. Now the doctor has told you it’s time to go home. What... By Lyn Harper, MPA, BSRT, RRT, AE-C3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments5 comments
The COPD StigmaFor the vast majority of people, when they hear the words "COPD" they automatically think "they must be a smoker." While smoking is the leading cause of COPD, it isn't... By Theresa Cannizzaro, Respiratory Therapist2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments11 comments
Let's Talk LungsThe lungs are huge. Shaped like an upside-down butterfly, the top of each lung extends into the lowest part of the neck, just above the first rib. The bottom of... By derekc5 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments31 comments
The Kindness of StrangersThe other day my husband and I were at Sam's Club buying way too much as usual and while he paid for and boxed up our stuff I went to... By michelle.vincent3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments1 comments
COPD and BloatingIf you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), you may expect symptoms like being short of breath or coughing. However, some less well-known symptoms still impact people with COPD. Many... By Editorial Team 3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments81 comments
Learning to Cope: Making Lifestyle ChangesMost people with chronic lung diseases don’t walk around saying, “Woe is me!” We don’t do that. We make adjustments and we learn to cope. And one of the bigger... By John Bottrell, RRT3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments2 comments
The Blame GameWhen I was 19, I was pushed into lighting a cigarette, actually it happened frequently. I got past the rotten taste and realized that I was losing weight, a lot... By Janet Plank2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments6 comments
Managing AnxietyIt is no secret that anxiety goes hand in hand with COPD as symptoms worsen. Once the shortness of breath, or dyspnea, becomes severe enough to cause fear, dealing with... By Tonya Hidalgo3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments8 comments
What Are Obstructive Sleep Apnea and CPAP?Some people with COPD develop a condition called Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). When this occurs, it is often referred to as COPD-OSA Overlap Syndrome, or simply "Overlap Syndrome.” A common... By John Bottrell, RRT4 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments