COPD Articles and Stories from Oxygen Concentrator Store

Things You Can Do to Try to Recover Quicker From a COPD Exacerbation

If you have COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), you have mostly likely had to deal with one or a few flare-ups, also known as exacerbations. Exacerbations take a toll on lung function each time you have one, and unfortunately, your lung function will never get back to where it was before the exacerbation.

COPD itself takes a toll on the body, the extent of which depends on how bad it is and if you have continued to smoke after being diagnosed with the disease. It’s true that early and aggressive treatment of this disease makes a big difference in how it progresses.

A COPD exacerbation can leave you feeling weak and exhausted. You might have a hard time concentrating and you will likely feel more anxious, depressed or easily angered. The way you feel, besides the way you breathe, should not be overlooked.

February 23, 2013April 5, 2021 Scott Ridl

Getting a Better Nights Sleep With COPD

Losing sleep is one of the unfortunate effects of COPD, and one that can cause more problems down the road if you ignore it. Sleep is extremely important to every aspect of health, especially our immune systems. You do most of your recuperating and healing during sleep. If you have recently suffered even a mild exacerbation, you’re likely to feel even more worn down and in need of a good nights rest.

If you are able to get the amount of sleep you need on a regular basis, your immune system will work the way it’s supposed to, which will help prevent the illnesses that are responsible for most COPD exacerbations.

February 20, 2013April 5, 2021 Scott Ridl

Cow’s Milk and Soy Milk – Comparing the Benefits for Those With COPD

Milk is something everyone should be drinking in one form or another. Sometimes it’s not enough to only eat cheese or rely on other dairy foods. According to the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture), if you want to get the full nutritional benefits of dairy, you should be drinking three, 8-ounce glasses of milk per day.

Proteins, calcium and the amino acids our bodies need are plentiful in cows milk. If you have COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), you have an even more significant need for the nutritional value of dairy. Your body has to work harder to breathe, so you burn up more energy. You might notice that you or someone else had lost a considerable amount of weight shortly before they were diagnosed with the disease. Your body burns more calories and uses up more nutrients to get the job done.

February 15, 2013April 5, 2021 Scott Ridl

Can Lung Function Be Improved After COPD Diagnosis?

Just because you’ve been diagnosed with COPD, doesn’t mean you should go ahead and give up on your lungs. Your lungs have been damaged over time, and most likely, you won’t be able to get them back to that of a person who has never smoked. Depending on the severity of your condition, however, you might be able to improve your lung function enough so that you won’t need to use oxygen therapy as often, or your doctor might find it safe to lower the dosage on your medication.

February 14, 2013April 5, 2021 Scott Ridl

What You Need to Know About Dust Mites and COPD

Maybe you’ve stopped smoking and you’re using your medications and oxygen therapy the way you’re supposed to. You’ve started to make sure you’re getting the right nutrition, and you’ve even started to incorporate light exercise into your daily routine. For some reason, however, you’re having a hard time breathing, especially at night and in the morning. If you’re also sneezing and experiencing other symptoms of a respiratory-affected allergy, dust mites are the likely culprit.

Dust mites are microscopic arachnids that live in dust and eat the dead skin cells that we shed. Seniors are among the age groups most sensitive to dust mite and dust allergies, and at least 20 million Americans experience allergy symptoms due to dust mites.

February 11, 2013April 5, 2021 Scott Ridl

How to Cope When You are Diagnosed with COPD

You’ve gone to the doctor with complaints of having trouble breathing, he has ordered lung x-rays and tests for your lung function and the results are back. Your doctors informs you that have been diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or COPD.

COPD covers two chronic respiratory illness – Chronic Bronchitis and Emphysema. Even though these two illnesses are different and have slightly different symptoms aside from lowered lung function, they still fall under the name of COPD. A friend of yours may have been diagnosed with the same disease, but he has severe Emphysema and you have a mild form of Chronic Bronchitis. Even though you both have COPD, the medications and treatments you have will differ.

January 25, 2013April 5, 2021 Scott Ridl

The Early Signs of COPD and Tests

The signs of COPD are varied and sometimes subtle – so subtle, that they can go on for several years without being noticed. These signs could also be early warning signs for other health problems, or could be something much less severe. In any case, you should pay attention to your body, so you can note any changes, no matter how seemingly insignificant. Catching a chronic illness in it’s earliest stages can save you a lot of physical and mental stress later on, as well as keep your medical bills down.

The earliest signs of COPD will differ from person to person, but they are generally…

January 23, 2013April 5, 2021 Scott Ridl

FDA Approves New COPD Drug

Patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) now have a new option in terms of long-term symptom management. On July 23, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new drug for COPD called Tudorza Pressair. Also known in the medical community as aclidinium bromide, it is made by Forest Pharmaceuticals in St. Louis, Missouri. This medication is designed to improve airflow to enhance your overall quality of life.

One of the main complications of COPD is bronchospasm, which causes constriction within the airways of the lungs. The goal of Tudorza Pressair is to relax airway muscles to reduce constriction. Patients who take this medication may be able to breathe easier because their airways will function better.
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September 12, 2012August 1, 2023 Scott Ridl

COPD and Breathing

My breathing has gotten really bad from COPD. I have Emphysema and it seems t be getting worse all the time. Am I just out of luck as far a breathing again?
Jim

Hi, Jim!

I guess the obvious question for me to ask is Have you talked to your doctor about this yet?

If your symptoms are getting worse, maybe your doctor needs to reevaluate the medications that you’re on. Are you taking any corticosteroids, like Advair or Flovent, on a daily basis? Medications like those need to be taken every day in order to be effective.

Also, have you considered going to a Pulmonary Rehab program? If not, that might a good thing to talk to your doctor about also…it’s basically supervised exercise, on oxygen, with a Respiratory Therapist.

And if you’re a smoker, STOP! You’d be surprised how many COPD patients still smoke!
There are little things, like the above, that can help with your symptoms. Only your doctor knows the extent of your COPD, so I would definitely recommend going to see him/her to discuss your concerns.

Sincerely,
Lori Peters, RRT
Registered Respiratory Therapist | American Medical Sales & Repair

April 23, 2012March 6, 2019 Scott Ridl

Symptoms and Treatment of COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) is characterized by two lung diseases, chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Both illnesses make the process of breathing more difficult and less efficient.

With chronic bronchitis, inflamed bronchioles are the main problem. The inflammation causes excessive mucus production, leading to a productive cough, followed by eventual scarring and thickening of the bronchial airway.

September 10, 2011September 2, 2020 Scott Ridl

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