Emphysema falls under the umbrella of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). It’s an irreversible lung condition that damages the alveoli (air sacs) and obstructs our ability to breathe and move oxygen into the bloodstream: “When you exhale, the damaged alveoli don’t work properly and old air becomes trapped, leaving no room for fresh, oxygen-rich air […]
Viruses like the flu can be hard on the body’s immune system. But if you’re living with COPD or another chronic lung condition, a seasonal flu can cause flare ups and leave you vulnerable to other serious health complications. Therefore, it’s important to take every precaution necessary to prevent exposure and stay healthy this season. […]
November is COPD Awareness Month, which means there is no better time to get involved and help share facts about this widespread respiratory disease. According to the American Lung Association, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) affects more than 16 million people in the United States, but it’s estimated that millions of Americans may have the […]
Beginning a new journey on your path to airway clearance can stir up many questions: how much will my therapy cost? Will my insurance cover it? Does this product really work? When can I start feeling relief from my chronic symptoms? At Electromed, our team is here to address your concerns, answer your questions, and […]
Respiratory Care Week is an annual event to recognize the essential work and dedication of respiratory care professionals around the globe. Not only are they deserving of this recognition for the incredible work they do, but it is also a time to spread awareness about respiratory health. This year, especially, it’s important that we all […]
Living with bronchiectasis can cause a loved one to produce a chronic cough, experience shortness of breath, and develop frequent respiratory infections that could damage the lungs. Another common symptom of bronchiectasis is chronic inflammation, which can make breathing more difficult and further impair lung function. Understanding the Chronic Cycle of Inflammation Because bronchiectasis disrupts […]
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 […]