Preparing for an Emergency When You Have COPDWhere I live, here in Illinois, we have to be prepared for everything because of our weather. We have windy, cold winters. In the spring and summer, we have thunderstorms...Reactions0reactionsComments6 comments
Attending Alpha-1 Education DayI’m so excited! I will attend my first in-person Alpha-1 education day in over three years. You all know why: Covid. Alpha-1 is a genetic liver disorder that can cause...Reactions0reactionsComments5 comments
The Connection Between Chronic Health Conditions and ShinglesThe two most common risk factors for developing shingles are older age and having a chronic health condition that weakens your immune system. Shingles is a common viral infection that...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
It's a Spring ThingYesterday I saw the first robin of the year. It is always a delight because this is when we know that spring is coming. It’s been a long and cold...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
Increasing Your Pulse Oxygen Levels With COPDAfter my mom’s diagnosis, we were all trying to learn how we could help support her health. After learning about pulse oximetry, we felt we had something to measure. Her...Reactions0reactionsComments15 comments
7 Myths About ShinglesShingles is a viral infection that is often misunderstood. Understanding the myths and misconceptions about shingles can help reduce your chances of getting it. Here are 7 common myths about...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Mental and Physical Health With COPDYou may know what COPD is and that it affects your organs. It can affect your body and mind. It’s very important that you see your doctor as scheduled. Maybe...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
What Is Shingles?Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a common viral infection that affects about 1 out of every 3 people in the United States. Its telltale sign is a painful...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Update to COPD Guidelines May Benefit YouEditor's Note: Always talk with your doctor before altering your drug schedule or if you have any concerns regarding your treatment. In the early 1990s, some of the world's most...Reactions0reactionsComments3 comments
Catch Your BreathIt is a new paradigm. We must learn to breathe differently by becoming more efficient at moving oxygen around our lungs and expelling used oxygen. I began to study the...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
Some Days Are Worse Than OthersNo two days are the same and some days are better or worse than others. The fight just never seems to go away, and it begins anew every morning. Some...Reactions0reactionsComments25 comments
Giving Up Smoking Due to COPD DiagnosisI have seen quite a few people in this forum and on many social network forums trying to quit smoking. I have shared some tips that helped me there, but...Reactions0reactionsComments42 comments
Spring Ahead With COPDWe just had a time change and sprung ahead an hour. I read that the general idea of why we do this is to make better use of natural daylight...Reactions0reactionsComments4 comments
Places to Live Where the Climate Is Suitable for COPDI live in Illinois, and for the most part, we have four seasons. I loved growing up in a little rural town where everyone knew everyone, and I felt safe...Reactions0reactionsComments83 comments
Living With a COPD DiagnosisIn our forums, some people share things that they wished they would had known about COPD. One lady shared that she wishes she had known how to cough so she...Reactions0reactionsComments23 comments
Why Journal?Journaling. I remember keeping diaries when I was younger. The tiny keys that came with the diaries were so cute. It’s funny that I would think that lock and key...Reactions0reactionsComments6 comments
Can COPD Patients Swim Safely?In the past, I used to swim like a fish. My kids could never understand how I could hold my breath under the water for long periods of time with...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
You Need to Know Before Being AdmittedMany of us have had to have extra care lately and have been hospitalized. It seems that winter is an extremely tough time for us. Being isolated during Covid...Reactions0reactionsComments17 comments
COPD Exercise Suggestions and HobbiesDoes anyone else have hobbies that help them get a little more exercise? Some people might be interested in finding ways to "hide" the exercise but still get it. One...Reactions0reactionsComments12 comments
How to Manage a Good Life With COPDOnce diagnosed, after the denial, we accept our COPD and can learn how to live the good life despite having COPD. Some people name their COPD, and some won’t acknowledge...Reactions0reactionsComments8 comments