SmartVest Blog

Bronchiectasis and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) are two individual chronic lung conditions that share similar symptoms, such as shortness of breath, wheezing, general fatigue, and recurring lung infections. If you’re living with COPD or asthma, you may develop bronchiectasis later in life, resulting in an overlap of symptoms, also known as bronchiectasis-COPD overlap syndrome […]

Though more research is being conducted on how to effectively manage bronchiectasis, an irreversible chronic lung condition that causes recurrent respiratory infections, it remains a lesser known pulmonary disease when compared to COPD or cystic fibrosis.  If you’re living with bronchiectasis or your loved one needs more information about its causes, symptoms, and treatment options, […]

COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) affects more than 11 million people in the United States.1 Though many have heard of this umbrella term used to describe progressive lung diseases, you may be unfamiliar with the different types of COPD that can cause you or a loved one to experience chronic symptoms or recurring flare ups.  […]

SmartVest is the only respiratory vest on the market with published studies demonstrating improved outcomes in treating bronchiectasis.  BMC Pulmonary Medicine, a peer-reviewed medical journal, recently published a first-of-its-kind, independent study, analyzing the effectiveness of high frequency chest wall oscillation therapy (HFCWO) via the SmartVest Airway Clearance System in treating patients living with bronchiectasis. Read […]

According to a 2018 article in Bronchiectasis News Today, approximately half of newly diagnosed bronchiectasis patients also have COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).1 This statistic is likely to grow if bronchiectasis—an underdeveloped area of study—continues to go under-diagnosed in its early stages. Referred to as bronchiectasis-COPD overlap syndrome (BCOS),2 this type of comorbidity will affect […]

Because every patient with bronchiectasis is different, the symptoms experienced from a chronic lung condition can vary widely. For clinicians, this presents the challenge of choosing a bronchiectasis treatment that is most effective in allowing patients to live a healthier, fuller life—without the physical and financial stress of ongoing hospitalization and emergency room visits. Though […]

In a previous blog post, we highlighted the basic differences between bronchiectasis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which is important to know in order to find the best treatment option to manage symptoms. Bronchiectasis, an irreversible lung disease, develops from repeated inflammation and/or infection, and prevents your lungs from properly functioning. COPD, an umbrella […]

Most people are familiar with the term Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). You may have watched commercials explaining its symptoms or have seen digital ads demonstrating how patients can treat COPD and other impaired breathing conditions, such as asthma and chronic bronchitis. Have you ever wondered why you know so much about COPD, yet you […]

Talking to your doctor about high frequency chest wall oscillation (HFCWO) therapy can present challenges—especially if your prescriber is unfamiliar with bronchiectasis or how to effectively treat its chronic symptoms. When this is the case, it’s up to you to help educate your doctor on the benefits of HFCWO therapy in providing long-term relief and […]

Dr. Frederic Seifer has helped diagnose and treat numerous patients living with chronic lung diseases, such as bronchiectasis. For more than two decades, his dedication to helping patients find effective airway clearance treatments to manage their symptoms has made him a leading expert in the study of bronchiectasis.   To help individuals better understand bronchiectasis […]