Receiving a medical diagnosis can often feel like a double-edged sword. On the one side, you’re relieved to finally put a name to the type of symptoms you’ve been experiencing and can start the next step of finding the right treatment to manage your condition. On the other side, it’s now confirmed and can leave […]
Learn the proper way to clean and care for your SmartVest with step-by-step instructions and how-to videos. Regular cleanings of the SmartVest Airway Clearance System are important to keep the device operating and looking its best.
New to airway clearance? If you’re living with a chronic lung condition, like bronchiectasis (brong-kee-EK-tuh-sis), breathing without feeling constricted in the airways is something you never want to take for granted. Though your clinician may prescribe different types of treatment to help you manage your symptoms—such as antibiotics or mucus-thinning medications [1]—airway clearance works to […]
Living with bronchiectasis can sometimes feel like you’re putting your life on pause. Too often, chronic symptoms can interfere with our quality of life—not to mention the time we want to spend with friends, family, and pursuing our passions. The good news is, bronchiectasis doesn’t have to hold you back from experiencing life’s precious moments […]
Though many of us would prefer to avoid coughing, this natural reflex actually helps protect our lungs and airways against certain irritants, such as dust, germs, and mucus buildup [1]. Think of the last time you drank a glass of water too fast, and started coughing. Though many of us blame the water for “going […]
Consuming foods that are high in vitamins, minerals, and key nutrients, such as protein and fiber, allow our bodies to perform the essential tasks we depend on each day. One such task is breathing. But did you know that certain foods can actually make breathing more difficult [1]? Oxygen and Food Oxygen plays an important […]
For some, the start of a New Year is sometimes met with a mix of emotions. Though you’re eager to see what new adventures lie ahead, you’re also thinking about how these new changes will impact your quality of life. If you’re living with bronchiectasis or COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), for example, you may […]
Winter is approaching…actually for many living in the Midwest, it’s already here! Though some of us look forward to the cozy nights in, with hot cocoa in hand in front of a warm fireplace, if you’re living with a chronic lung condition like bronchiectasis or COPD, your joy of the season may be mixed with […]
All over the country, thousands of individuals continue to benefit from using the SmartVest Airway Clearance System. SmartVest is a high frequency chest oscillation (HFCWO) therapy device that works to provide symptom relief for patients living with a chronic lung condition. When used daily, and as part of your bronchiectasis or COPD treatment plan, SmartVest […]
November is COPD Awareness Month. That means there’s no better time to get involved and help share information about this widespread respiratory disease in your community. 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 are […]
