Articles

From speaking with other folks who have COPD and/or chatting online in dedicated groups, you sometimes pick up some good tips for dealing with things or addressing situations. These are...

Editor's note: This is part 2 of a two-part series. Part 1 is titled 'A List of All Inhalers Part I: The Bronchodilators.' There are tons of inhalers for COPD...

You have likely heard me say before that we are unique in our own diseases because we have other health conditions, medications, etc. These other health issues are called comorbidities...

COPD, a lung disease that causes breathing problems due to inflammation and blockages in the airways, has long been associated with smoking. In fact, smoking is the most common risk...

COPD stands for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Falling under the umbrella term of COPD are emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and Alpha 1-Antitrypsin Deficiency, which is the genetic form of COPD. A...

I read. A lot. I used to have a 90-minute commute by train to my job - both ways - and I might read 2 or 3 paperback pulp fiction...

You might not think COPD and exercise go well together, but actually they do. The fact is, exercise offers concrete benefits for all of us. This is true, whether we...

One of the constant tests I had done while in the hospital was Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) Test. It is a test to measures acidity of oxygen and carbon dioxide...

When you have a chronic illness, it's easy to feel all alone, as though you're the only you know who is dealing with the challenges. But, if the chronic illness...

A mere 3 days after a month long stay in the hospital, the specialist’s office called. They had a request from the hospital for an immediate opening. They would accommodate...

If you have COPD, chances are you're taking one or more medications; perhaps even quite a few. As your COPD progresses and if you start to have complicating conditions such...

Since the symptoms of COPD can be varied and debilitating, including shortness of breath during daily activities, it can often be a challenge for those with the condition to complete...

It’s not just adult smoking of cigarettes that causes COPD. It’s also not just aging. Researchers are now learning that early life events, and things you’re exposed to early in...

Read Part 1 to find out more about Kevin's initial thoughts on this COPD application. I spoke recently with Kristen Willard, the COPD Foundation’s Vice President of Population Health &...

Let’s face it! People with lung diseases spend WAY too much time in doctor’s offices. Sometimes we don’t have to wait very long. But, most often that’s not the case...

Shortness of breath is one of the most common symptoms of COPD. Many people who have COPD feel like their chest is so tight that they just can’t breathe. They...

Often times we Respiratory Therapists have to take on the role of teacher. We do our part to fix you. Then we teach you. That's what we do. For me...

Home NIV, which stands for "non-invasive ventilation," is a method of treatment that can make breathing easier in certain people during end-stage COPD. COPD is a progressive, incurable disease that...

I was recovering from my first major exacerbation and had been bedridden for more than 3 weeks. After being in a coma, I had experienced a fair amount of muscle...

Financial Anxiety and Chronic Illness: Coping with the Costs of COPD and Other ConditionsIn this series, we discuss causes of anxiety for those facing physical illness and its side effects...