Living

Living 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...

It 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...

Some 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...

Hopefully, 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...

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...

If 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...

Out 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...

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...

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...

Many 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...

They 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...

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...

Thank 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...

When 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...

One night at 3:30 am, my husband who was a police officer, brought home a puppy that seemed to be a stray. Oh the ticks on that poor puppy. We...

With a cheery "See ya, wouldn't wanna be ya," the Mighty Tiger zoomed through the open door, out of his castle and into the wild jungle beyond. He stealthily (yeah...

If your doctor has prescribed supplemental oxygen, there is no need to feel that you will never be able to leave your home again. There are many options when it...

Studies show that between 20-70% of people diagnosed with COPD will eventually develop heart failure. So what is heart failure, and how is it linked with COPD? Here's all you...

So often talking with COPDers, the discussion goes to what they can’t do anymore, how they failed, let themselves down, let others down, and so many other things. Depression and...

Sometimes flare-ups seem to blindside the progress you have been making, and they come out of nowhere with a staggering punch.  There may be times that you can’t pinpoint the...