Articles

Dealing with exacerbations of COPD is a fact of life when you have this disease. But, as emphasized in the most recent 2017 GOLD Guidelines for COPD, experts now recognize...

I have now been a respiratory therapist for 20 years. A lot has changed. But, one thing unchanged is the down-home sort of feeling of the hospital I work at...

Pain management is an important part of treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), yet so often, the medical support system may overlook pain as an element of COPD. As...

When I get up in the morning, off comes the oxygen and CPAP. I check the time, then off the bathroom and I wash up. It’s now medication time, pills...

Recently, my boss came to me and said, “Happy Anniversary!” She bought me lunch. It was a worthy celebration of my 20 years as a respiratory therapist. So, in honor...

Have you ever heard the joke: Well, probably you have since that's one of the oldest jokes in existence. It dawned on me earlier this year that this joke was...

I think COPD action/management plans are a neat idea for all COPDers. They help you manage your COPD on a daily basis. They help you decide what to do when...

The approach to treatment of COPD will vary to some extent, based on what stage of COPD you are currently at. In this post, we'll discuss some tips for people...

Whether you have COPD, or know someone who does, these 25 facts can open your eyes to the vast world of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease...

We hear about ABG, FEV and PFT. What is going on? What does it mean? I know my basic ABC’s but this is really off! I used to think that...

I thought it would be neat to take a step back and review the term COPD. We know it means Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. But, what does this mean? Here’s...

We all know that our inhaled corticosteroid inhalers come with their fair share of potential side effects. While not everyone gets the side effects, some seem to be plagued with...

Your doctor may use a lot of specific terms or jargon when referring to COPD or other lung diseases. By using these terms they are not trying to confuse you...

Why is there no cure for COPD? Why is so much known about other diseases, yet so little known about ours? These are viable questions I hear often. Trust me...

I needed a scooter to get around the store the other day, but when one became available I gave it to another person. Why? Why would I do that when...

For some COPDers, shopping is a thing of the past. For others, they still enjoy shopping. Which are you? I know that others have said the same. Because of this...

Being diagnosed with COPD can feel scary and lonely, but you don’t have to manage your diagnosis alone. The American Lung Association's Living with COPD Inspire network allows you to...

Hi. I’m kinda new to this so bear with me a bit. I’m a primary care-giver for my wife (Michelle) who has pretty advanced COPD. I’m also disabled in my...

This article took a lot of thought. I have other health issues aside from COPD, and one compounds the other. Sometimes it’s difficult to tell what’s causing what. My husband...

Those four words I’m hearing more and more. It doesn’t matter whether the COPDer is Stage 1 or Stage 4,  so many struggle with tiredness and exhaustion, confusion, depression, pain, body...