Learning to Cope: Making Lifestyle ChangesMost people with chronic lung diseases don’t walk around saying, “Woe is me!” We don’t do that. We make adjustments and we learn to cope. And one of the bigger...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
The Blame GameWhen I was 19, I was pushed into lighting a cigarette, actually it happened frequently. I got past the rotten taste and realized that I was losing weight, a lot...Reactions0reactionsComments6 comments
Managing AnxietyIt is no secret that anxiety goes hand in hand with COPD as symptoms worsen. Once the shortness of breath, or dyspnea, becomes severe enough to cause fear, dealing with...Reactions0reactionsComments8 comments
What Are Obstructive Sleep Apnea and CPAP?Some people with COPD develop a condition called Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). When this occurs, it is often referred to as COPD-OSA Overlap Syndrome, or simply "Overlap Syndrome.” A common...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
You Are Not Alone“Laugh and the world laughs with you, snore and you sleep alone.” – Anthony Burgess I hope you got a laugh out of that quote. You deserve a laugh. Because...Reactions0reactionsComments9 comments
Not "Just" a Cough?Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a term that is used to describe a group of lung conditions that, among other things, make it difficult to breathe well. The four...Reactions0reactionsComments6 comments
The Mindset, Pacing, and Breathlessness.COPD effects each of us differently. But the one thing we all have in common is breathlessness which at times can - for us in the more advanced stages -...Reactions0reactionsComments4 comments
What To Expect in The Emergency RoomI am a respiratory therapist. I am involved in the care of people with COPD, especially if you come to the emergency room feeling short of breath. So, I thought...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
What Having COPD Has Taught MeYou might think I'm crazy but I'll risk it: Any time people face adversity they react in ways they might not have expected. That moment of crisis lays bare attitudes...Reactions0reactionsComments7 comments
Resources for the CommunityMany of our community members find it helpful when we share various resources - both here at COPD.net and on our Facebook page. With that in mind, we bring you...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Asking for Spring Cleaning HelpMotivating your family to help with household cleaning can be challenging. For people living with COPD, it can be difficult to ask for more help, or even tempting to forgo...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Anxiety with COPD: The Physical EffectsFour years ago when I was diagnosed with COPD I started to have panic attacks such as I described in my first anxiety article. The anxiety from the pain, from...Reactions0reactionsComments8 comments
BiPAP: Helping You Live Longer & Better with COPDPeople with severe COPD are now living better and longer than ever before. One reason for this accomplishment is the use of BiPAP both in hospitals and at home. So, what...Reactions0reactionsComments31 comments
Emotional Spring Cleaning: Let's Join the Party “Spring won’t let me stay in this house any longer! I must get out and breathe the air deeply again.” – Gustav Mahler Spring is my favorite all of...Reactions0reactionsComments10 comments
Dos and Don'ts for COPD InhalersInhaled medications are some of the foundations of treatment for COPD. Since COPD is a disease of the airways, it makes sense that medications inhaled right into those airways would...Reactions0reactionsComments6 comments
Simple, DIY Cleaning SolutionsWith “Spring Cleaning” season upon us, it probably comes as no surprise to hear our Spotlight this month centers around tips and tricks for tidying your space. However, many of...Reactions0reactionsComments4 comments
More Than a Feeling: Tired vs COPD TiredSometimes the word tired just doesn’t cut it when it comes to COPD. Although symptoms can vary from person to person, many people affected by COPD have one symptom in...Reactions0reactionsComments126 comments
Tips for Maximizing Quality of Life With COPDLiving with any chronic illness, especially one that makes it hard to breathe, as COPD does, is no walk in the park. But the good news is that with the...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Heart Failure: Learning the Signs and SymptomsIt has been established that anywhere from 20-70% of people diagnosed with COPD will eventually develop heart failure. It doesn't always happen, but when it does you most certainly want...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Six Steps To Finding A Great DoctorSome people think that if you’re healthy, any doctor will do. Right? If you have a chronic lung disease like COPD, you’ll want to find that perfect doctor: one who...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments