Janet Plank...I was an EMT-I and working ambulance for numerous years before health changed things. First I was diagnosed with adult asthma and allergies. About a year later, my doctors sent...
Mary Ultes...Editors Note: Mary Ultes passed away on March 2nd, 2018. She was a valued member of the COPD.net team and will be sorely missed. I’m a 69-year-old woman who has have...
Applying for Social Security Disability Benefits with COPD...The Social Security Administration is a branch of the United States federal government that provides disability benefits to individuals who cannot work due to long-term disability. Benefits are provided through...reactionscomments
Understanding the Respiratory System...You've probably heard the old saying, "Knowledge is power." This is never more true than when dealing with a new diagnosis of COPD, also known as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease...reactionscomments
Give Your Mind A Break...Elaborate houses, immense crops, herds and herds of livestock, and a truly eclectic collection of stuff. Can you guess what this might describe? If you said FarmVille, a game played...reactionscomments
Fatigue: The Silent Symptom...While dyspnea (labored or shortness of breath) is often the most experienced, and most recognized, symptom of COPD, fatigue, or lack of energy, is frequently cited as an even more...reactions16comments
We Tried For a Transplant...In the first few years after my mother’s COPD diagnosis, I spent countless hours researching the disease. The big thing that kept showing up was: “There is no cure.” Those...reactions3comments
Pursed-Lips Are Not Just for Kissing!...Many individuals with COPD experience shortness of breath, which can make them feel anxious and frightened. While there is no cure for COPD, there are ways to manage and control...reactions11comments
COPD in America 2015...The COPD In America 2015 online survey was conducted to gather insights from over 1,700 individuals currently diagnosed as having COPD, Emphysema or Chronic Bronchitis in hopes of painting an...reactionscomments
Help Center...You’ve come to the right place! Get answers to the most frequently asked questions about the inner workings of COPD.net, as well as the organization that powers it all –...
What NOT to Say to Chronically Ill People....Sometimes us with COPD find it hard getting others to recognize we have a disabling, chronic illness. A recent photo of myself taken by my wife Lynne has me looking very...reactions3comments
Texting Instead of Talking...Maybe you’re not well versed in the latest gadgets, and maybe you don’t want to be. That is okay for most things, but this is something that I urge you...reactionscomments
Check The Oxygen Equipment...As the dependence for oxygen grows, it becomes more and more important that the equipment is working properly. This is not something that should be taken lightly. I can speak...reactions1comment
Some of Our First Thoughts...My mother was diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in 1997. We knew very little about the disease then, and honestly, medicine has come a long way since then as...reactionscomments
COPD Makes Things Harder, But Life is Fun...When I was first diagnosed with COPD in 1987 I gave it little thought. Yes I had got a little short of breath. But worse was the bronchitis. I was submitted...reactions10comments
Staying Active is Key...One of the subjects I mentioned is 'death by couch'. That can sound disturbing and alarming. But remember as I have had COPD since 1987 I am convinced the only...reactions5comments
COPD Caregivers...If you have a loved one with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), you may find yourself becoming a caregiver. Providing care for someone with COPD is a challenging but rewarding...
Basics For Caregivers: Terminology...What exactly is a caregiver? A caregiver is defined by the Merriam-Webster Medical Dictionary as “a person who provides direct care (as for children, elderly people, or the chronically ill).”...reactionscomments
Tips for Improving Communication With Your Physician...Results of the COPD In America 2015 Study reported that almost a third of respondents were unaware of the stage of their COPD when they were diagnosed, and a similar...reactions4comments
Basics for Caregivers: Equipment...There will be an increasing number of pieces of equipment as your patient progresses. As each piece is added, it is important to think about your patient. Not only is...reactionscomments