Living with a chronic respiratory illness like COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), bronchiectasis, or an overlapping of the two conditions can take a toll on your mental health. You may feel isolated from the hobbies you enjoy doing, as well as the people you love spending time with. Though respiratory conditions have always presented certain […]
One of the leading contributors of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is cigarette smoking.[1] Cigarettes contain thousands of chemicals when burned—many of which are harmful to our bodies, including carbon monoxide. When smoke fills the lungs, these toxic chemicals replace the oxygen in our bloodstream, preventing our organs from receiving the oxygen they need to […]
A COPD flare up (also known as an COPD exacerbation) is a sudden worsening of symptoms that can leave you feeling low on energy, short on breath, or tightness in the chest area. Other common symptoms of COPD that may worsen during a flare up include[1]: Chronic cough Mucus Build up Respiratory infections Wheezing Swelling […]
COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) affects millions of Americans each year.[1] And because there are different types of COPD that can cause individuals to experience symptoms in many ways, understanding which conditions are associated with your patients’ pulmonary disease can help to provide improved COPD nursing care. What We Know About COPD COPD can be […]
COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is an umbrella term used to describe multiple pulmonary conditions, like “…chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and irreversible, or refractory asthma”[1] and can cause individuals to experience fatigue, mucus buildup, wheezing, and breathlessness.[2] Depending on each individual’s condition, your clinician may prescribe supplemental oxygen to help manage symptoms. Over time, COPD can […]
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has provided greater flexibility for physicians to prescribe high frequency chest wall oscillation (HFCWO) therapy to Medicare beneficiaries.[1] Do I Qualify for SmartVest Under the New CMS Waiver? Beginning March 1, 2020, clinical indications and documentation typically required to prescribe a […]
When your patients experience a severe respiratory infection from a preexisting lung condition like COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), providing them access to effective airway clearance therapy is vital to their comfort and relief. It’s also essential to the success of your hospital’s inpatient care program. At Electromed, our team helps physicians across the country […]
When learning more about COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and its signs and symptoms, there is a focus on shortness of breath, recurring respiratory infections, and frequent cough. But another common symptom of this chronic condition, that often receives less attention, is general fatigue. COPD chronic fatigue symptoms may range from feeling tired to experiencing […]
According to the American College of CHEST Physicians, one in every five patients hospitalized for an exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) will require rehospitalization within 30 days.[1] COPD exacerbations develop from a severe worsening of symptoms—typically a result of a respiratory infection—and can cause: Narrowing of Airways Mucus Build Up in Airways Swelling […]
As the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to provide updates on recent breakthroughs in the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, it’s important to understand the factors that may put us, or someone we care for, at greater risk of respiratory illness. Having this knowledge will help in creating a personal prevention plan that protects […]