Living

Time seems to fly by. We just got over the new year, and before we knew it, here came August. Another eight months have passed. There seems to be no...

As a kid with severe asthma, I often wondered what life would be like if I had been born 50 years earlier when rescue medicine didn’t exist. Would I have...

At the very beginning of my diagnosis with COPD, I began feeling the symptoms of bloat. It felt like I was in a constant state of fullness and feeling of...

Nowadays, there seems to be an app for everything, and if you have a smartphone, you probably have a few or have heard of at least a few of them...

Editor's Note: Always refer to your healthcare team or device manufacturer if you have questions about cleaning your equipment. People with COPD often have various equipment to help with breathing...

Editor's Note: This article discusses hospice and end-of-life care, which could be potentially triggering for certain readers. I know a lot of people don’t like to talk about the subject...

You’ve probably heard me say that the leg bones are connected to the knee bone. That’s my body, for sure. To me, it only makes sense that one chronic illness...

Editor's note: If you have concerns about COPD or associated comorbidities, always consult your healthcare provider. I am sure most of us with COPD have heard that, according to WHO...

I enjoy being a respiratory therapist. It gives me an opportunity to connect with people with COPD and to share my knowledge with them. Of course, I enjoy our conversations...

My grandkids are always inquisitive about my Alpha-1, so I thought I would share their questions and how I answer them in an article. I gave them instructions to ask...

Our country is on fire from coast to coast across Canada, including the North and through Quebec. A controlled burn rids the forest of debris, dead trees, and leaves and...

Editor's note: Always consult with your medical team before starting a new diet or exercise routine. Being diagnosed with COPD can seem scary and overwhelming, but it doesn't have to...

Given the variety of options available for nebulizers today, I believe this to be a reasonable question. Which is better: mesh nebulizers or jet nebulizers? If you want a rundown...

Some people haven’t heard the part about managing and controlling the anxiety that accompanies episodes of shortness of breath. It is so important that we take control of our episodes...

These Canadian wildfires have had a serious impact on a large portion of the U.S. In Illinois, our air quality has been at the highest levels that I have ever...

Being a grandparent is one of life’s little pleasures. For many years I never really thought I would have grandchildren. The dream was elusive and fleeting. After I found out...

It’s Tuesday, June 20th, 2023, which means one thing: it’s time for the 164th Annual Henry County Fair! It also means that it is hot and humid, and there will...

Summertime has a certain feel that brings on memories of my mom. All of my mom’s friends called her Tootsie. She lived up to her cheerful name in many ways...

You are my inspiration. Yes, you! You may wonder where I’m coming from. Maybe we haven’t chatted or even said hello to each other, yet how could I know you?...

When we are diagnosed with COPD, it can feel like receiving a swift blow to the head. We rarely see it coming and often don’t know what it means. The...