Traveling With COPDHaving COPD doesn’t mean that we must be homebound, it just means that we travel with a focus on health. Taking a trip can be so very exciting. You may... By Janet Plank3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments2 comments
New Doctor, New PerspectiveI finally had my appointment with the new Pulmonologist! Overall, there were no major changes after this initial visit. The doctor was intrigued at the idea of a COPD diagnosis... By Steven Workman2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments4 comments
The Old Gray MareWhat a morning! I woke up feeling pretty good. I can hear a bit of wheezing, which doesn’t happen often, because I’m not really a wheezer. Yet, what a way... By Janet Plank3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments2 comments
Coping With Depression When You Have COPDDo you ever feel sad, blue or down in the dumps when you think about living with COPD? If so, you're certainly not alone! At least 1 out of every... By Kathi MacNaughton2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments7 comments
Paying for Medications with COPDThe cost of life saving medications is on the rise. Many of the inhalers, steroids, and combination drugs are expensive. If you are on medicare, like my mom was, it... By Karen Hoyt2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments6 comments
Diagnosis: COPDSomething isn’t right. You find you run out of breath so easy. You’re so tired and rundown. You keep coughing. Thankfully you quit smoking a while ago, so it shouldn’t... By Janet Plank4 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
My TherapySometimes in life, I have felt sad, defeated, happy, tired, excited, free, loved, goofy! I find that my happy place is doing something positive, something that I can see, share... By Janet Plank2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments1 comments
Top 10 Steps for Coping With COPDWhen you have a chronic illness such as COPD, life can be hard. It sometimes feels as though the disease has taken over your life. Unlike a broken bone or... By Kathi MacNaughton5 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
Organizing Medications for COPDMom wanted to remain as independent as possible. She enjoyed having our support, but didn’t want to be a burden. The first few years after her diagnosis with COPD were... By Karen Hoyt2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments2 comments
Managing Your Emotions and COPDWhile it’s possible to live an enjoyable life with COPD, it isn’t always easy. This chronic lung disease, which includes bronchitis and emphysema, can be challenging for both patients and... By American Lung Association1 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
5 Ways People Cope With Severe COPDSo, I am a respiratory therapist. I work with lots of COPDers. Some have severe COPD. And some come visit me more than they’d like. We often pass the time... By John Bottrell, RRT3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments12 comments
Why Can't I?COPD is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. This disease causes an obstruction of airflow, which makes it more difficult to breathe. There is a higher risk with the use of anesthesia... By Janet Plank3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
What Triggers the Coughing Bouts?For the last few weeks, I have been trying to pay particular attention to what triggers the fits of coughing from COPD. Some of them are simple enough to understand... By Steven Workman3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments9 comments
Breathing Treatments: Your Questions AnsweredSo, I get lots of questions about breathing treatments. Here are some of the most common ones, followed by my pithy answers. I think the average treatment lasts about 10... By John Bottrell, RRT3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments24 comments
Airway Tree Variations - Another Clue to COPD RiskCOPD is the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S. and affects 16 million people. Additional millions have the disease, but have not yet been officially diagnosed. So, a... By Kathi MacNaughton3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
Spring Has SprungThe past few mornings I was greeted with sunshine and the sounds of birds chirping. Temps in the 60s and 70s and very little humidity. This wasn’t because of a... By Janet Plank2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
COPD and Sleep ApneaYou have been diagnosed with COPD, which is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. This is a disease of the lungs that causes obstructed airflow. COPD is the third leading cause of... By Janet Plank3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments9 comments
More Tips for Talking With Your DoctorUnfortunately, we must all accept that doctors in the U.S. today have very little time to spend with each patient. Changes in health insurance and electronic records have greatly changed... By Kathi MacNaughton2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments10 comments
COPD Lexicon: What’s a Breathing Treatment?So, what is a breathing treatment? Who needs them? How do they work? Here’s what to know. Actually, here's some basic terms associated with breathing treatments. It’s a small, handheld... By John Bottrell, RRT3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
Lessons From A Mom with COPDAround Mother’s Day, my heart always feels a little empty. My mom was a woman who could fill a room with laughter and love. Even when she was confined to... By Karen Hoyt2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments6 comments