Articles

I have seen this statement on our community and a lot of you joined in the conversation and shared your stories of having surgery or not being able to handle...

Many people are familiar with the concept of first and secondhand smoke, but have you ever heard of thirdhand smoke? Thirdhand smoke is made up of the pollutants that settle...

As a caregiver, I tend to adopt the mindset of a Boy Scout: "Always be prepared." Modern technology assisting in weather prediction these days makes it easier to be on...

What are your living arrangements? Are you able to live independently? Are you married? Do you have family close by? Do you have a caregiver in your home, or are...

It’s been hard seeing my husband trying to do things around the house, and errands. Having COPD myself makes this especially tough. I told him that I was going to...

You've heard of firsthand smoke. You know about secondhand smoke. But do you know about thirdhand smoke? Let's talk about what it is and why it matters to those with...

Editors Note: It is important to consult with your doctor before beginning any exercise routine. In one COPD forum, there was a question asked: What's one topic related to living...

Habits, which are like the many sides of daily life, are often what hold our days together. For people with COPD, these habits are even more important and require a...

When I think about the time I spent taking care of my mom's journey with COPD, each letter of the alphabet brings back a different and important memory. Love, understanding...

My sister called an emergency meeting of “The Caregiver’s Club.” After mom’s diagnosis with COPD, we kids took turns being up in her business. It’s something that she loved and...

While I was growing up, severe asthma was my constant companion. When I became a respiratory therapist, I expected to connect with short-of-breath patients, assuming they'd be like me—fellow asthmatics...

In our community, the need for ventilator support is a shared reality. Among our conversations, terms like "ventilator," "Trilogy," "AVAPS," "BiPAP," and "CPAP" frequently surface. These terms hold diverse meanings...

The day was a tough one. I was so tired. Something triggered my asthma. COPD could be a culprit too. My osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia both had me in pain. I...

I'm going to Birmingham, Alabama, for an Alpha-1 lung study. Ever since I was diagnosed with Alpha-1, I have tried to do everything I can to help find a cure...

Imagine this scenario: you are in a store, wearing a mask to stay safe. Suddenly, you start coughing, sneezing, and wheezing. The need to catch your breath forces a pause...

After my first serious exacerbation, I was too weak to walk across the room. I was devastated and scared. A very serious case of pneumonia had almost put me in my grave. ...

Rare Disease Day is always held on the last day of February, which is usually February 28th, but this year is Leap year, so it will be held on the...

COPD is a progressive chronic illness that starts slowly over a long period of time. Most of us are aware of the symptoms but we're not sure what these symptoms...

It's been over 13 years since I was first diagnosed with COPD. I wasn't just diagnosed with COPD that day, but also with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (Alpha-1). Alpha-1 is a...

As a dedicated respiratory therapist, a significant part of my role involves caring for inpatients, including those managing COPD. While my primary focus is on inpatient care, working in a...