Scott Ridl

Scott joined American Medical Sales and Rentals in 2008 as a Web Manager and Content Writer. He is a writer and designer. He is extensively trained on oxygen therapy products from leading manufacturers such as Inogen, Respironics, Chart, Invacare, ResMed and more.

Scott works closely with respiratory therapists and oxygen specialists to educate the community about oxygen therapy products, COPD, asthma and lung diseases. He writes weekly columns and is passionate about educating the community on oxygen therapy and respiratory issues.

Symptoms and Treatment of Influenza

The flu- we’ve all had it. But is it really what people think it is? Much of the time, when people think they have the flu, they are actually suffering from food poisoning of some sort. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are not typical symptoms of the flu.

In fact, the usual symptoms include a sudden fever, coughing, head and muscle aches, joint pain, nasal congestion, and a sore throat. Still, these symptoms can be mistaken for a cold virus, as well. The only way to know if it is indeed the flu is to see the doctor within 2 to 3 days of the start of the illness.

November 14, 2011October 23, 2018 Scott Ridl

What is Influenza?

Influenza, or “the flu,” is primarily a respiratory illness. With different categories of Influenza (A, B, or C) the flu is a contagious virus that travels from individual to individual with coughing and sneezing.

Influenza type A can affect not only humans, but pigs, horses, birds and other animals as well. Influenza B is typically a virus found in humans only. Less serious than Influenza A, however, Influenza B is nonetheless dangerous to vulnerable individuals. Influenza C viruses are few and far between and cause minimal symptoms, when compared to the other two families of Influenza.

November 7, 2011October 23, 2018 Scott Ridl

Symptoms and Treatment of Hypersensitivity Pneumonitus

Hypersensitivity pneumonitus is a unique lung disease occurring in people who have sensitivities or allergies to particular irritants or allergens. Anything from fungus to animal dander can be the culprit. It is caused by someone’s lungs being triggered by an irritant, and worsened when the individual continues to be exposed to the irritant over time.

Hypersensitivity pneumonitus, in its acute phase, can show up as much as 4-6 hours after the exposure to the dust, making the source harder to identify at times. Chills, fatigue, a non-productive cough, tightness in the chest, fever, and shortness of breath are all common symptoms.

October 28, 2011September 1, 2020 Scott Ridl

What is Hypersensitivity Pneumonitus?

Hypersensitivity Pneumonitus is a disease of the lungs involving inflammation from triggers in the environment. Specifically, certain types of inhaled dust, often that the individual is allergic to, can cause hypersensitivity pneumonitis.

The first time the dust is inhaled, it usually does not lead to a reaction. But after many exposures to the dust, some people will react with symptoms. The little air sacs in the lungs are inflamed, with the swelling caused by white blood cells. The air sacs may also fill with fluid.

October 23, 2011July 25, 2023 Scott Ridl

Symptoms and Treatment for Human Metapneumovirus (hMPV)

Human Metapneumovirus is a virus that manifests as a cold or flu virus. How serious the illness is depends upon which area of the respiratory system it attacks.

For most people who contract hMPV, the symptoms are cold-like, such as fever, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, and a cough. Like other cold viruses, it will pass after just a few days and the patient can get on with life as planned.

However, in some individuals, the disease of hMPV manifests itself as a flu virus, concentrating on the lower respiratory system and causing flu-like symptoms. These symptoms include a more serious fever, trouble breathing, unusually rapid breathing, wheezing, diarrhea, a severe cough, and/or vomiting.

October 17, 2011September 1, 2020 Scott Ridl

What is Human Metapneumovirus (hMPV)?

Human Metapneumovirus, or hMPV, was only recently discovered: in 2001, in the Netherlands. It is estimated, however, that the disease had been around for decades before that. hMPV is a disease affecting the respiratory system.

A virus, hMPV is able to be spread from person to person by sneezing, coughing, and touching infected objects or surfaces. It takes approximately 3-5 days to develop symptoms, once exposed, and the symptoms are usually mild.

October 12, 2011September 4, 2020 Scott Ridl

Common Myths Regarding Oxygen Therapy

By John R. Goodman BS RRT

Have you ever wondered how many of the myths associated with medical therapy get started? This is especially true in the area of oxygen therapy. Although oxygen was first used as a therapeutic agent as far back as 1799, the modern era of oxygen therapy had to wait for the technology to be “invented” so oxygen could be safely and conveniently delivered to the home. For arguments sake, let’s say the modern era of home oxygen therapy began with the introduction of the first oxygen concentrators. This would put us at the beginning of the 1970’s. For the first time patients on home oxygen did not have to give up their garages to store the huge number of bulky and heavy cylinders of oxygen they required. Now that oxygen was becoming easier to supply to patients in the home, it’s not that difficult to see where some of the myths surrounding the use of oxygen got started. Let’s zero in on just a few of the most common myths and see if we can explain how they might have come into existence. Let’s start with the possibility of oxygen exploding.

October 7, 2011August 31, 2020 Scott Ridl

Gadgets and Gizmos

As summer turns into autumn, we begin to see changes all around us. The temperatures start to get cooler; maybe we’ll see some rain and, inevitably, snow. The world around us is constantly changing and so is technology. American Medical Sales & Rentals is happy to bring 2 new items to all of our friends in the oxygen world.

A California-based company called Captive Technologies is allowing AMSR to bring two new items to our valued customers. First, let me introduce the O2Talon, a handy little device that vaguely resembles a pair of needle-nose pliers. This compact and simple tool was invented specifically to help the oxygen patient disconnect stubborn tubing, nasal cannulae and connectors. It allows for the patient to safely, and helpfully, separate tubing that might otherwise be a difficult chore for someone with arthritis or limited dexterity.

October 6, 2011September 4, 2020 Scott Ridl

Symptoms and Treatment of Histoplasmosis

Histoplasmosis is a lung infection that occurs from exposure to the fungus Histoplasma capsulatum. Many individuals who contract the illness pass through it without any symptoms.

The acute version of Histoplasmosis is relatively mild, with simple flu-like symptoms. Fever can occur, along with chest pains, an unproductive cough, and just not feeling well in general.

A more serious case of Histoplasmosis includes symptoms like skin lesions, shortness of breath, and coughing up blood. Also common are excessive sweating, headache, mouth sores, and stiffness in the neck.

September 28, 2011September 1, 2020 Scott Ridl

What is Histoplasmosis?

An infection of the lungs, Histoplasmosis is caused by inhalation of the spores of a particular fungus. The fungus, native to central and eastern states in the U.S., is called Histoplasma capsulatum. It is a very common fungus, in those areas, as it grows in the soil and in the droppings of birds and bats.

For many individuals, the contraction of a histoplasmosis infection will not cause any symptoms. The individual may pass through it without ever knowing he or she had it.
Others are lucky as well, only suffering mild symptoms. The acute form of Histoplasmosis is like getting a mild flu, and it passes relatively quickly.

September 25, 2011September 4, 2020 Scott Ridl

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