Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a chronic lung disease affecting 16 million Americans.1 While multiple factors are associated with COPD (e.g., occupational dust, air pollution, genetic factors), one of the leading causes is smoking.2 Over time, smoking destroys the air sacs, damages delicate lung tissue, and impairs the cilia in the lungs from successfully […]
As temperatures drop and air conditions become drier, managing chronic lung conditions can become more challenging. Cold weather can make symptoms worse, cause chest pain, or make breathing even more difficult, especially if you’re living with a chronic lung condition, such as COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). However, with a few proactive measures, you can […]
Airway Clearance Device for Veterans With COPD After sacrificing for their country, veterans deserve the best care. If you’re a veteran, you may face chronic respiratory conditions, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD due to environmental exposures, underlying health issues, or aging-related lung function decline. Airway clearance therapy may improve your quality of life […]
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 12.5 million people in the United States. But it’s estimated that millions of Americans already […]
Anyone can experience rapid shallow breathing, also known as tachypnea. Tachypnea is not a medical condition; instead, it is your body’s natural response to a lack of oxygen or too much carbon dioxide in the bloodstream.¹ Tachypnea Definition Consider a person’s average breathing rate to understand tachypnea and how it affects your breathing ability. Adults […]
A computerized tomography (CT) scan allows radiologists to capture x-ray images of the human anatomy to help examine abnormalities and diagnose certain conditions or injuries that affect our organs, bones, muscles, and blood vessels [1]. Unlike a standard x-ray image, CT scans utilize computerized technology to take multiple images of the body from different angles, […]
You may be familiar with the term “asthma” and its symptoms, but take a look below to learn more about its common triggers as well as its relationship to other lung-related illnesses, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Asthma 101 Asthma is a chronic condition that causes the airways in your lungs to become […]
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 […]
Though we can’t predict what happens tomorrow, we can try to prepare ourselves for the unexpected by planning ahead. This is especially true if you’re living with COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). According to the American Lung Association, creating an action plan with your healthcare team is one of the most important steps in […]
Staying regularly hydrated plays an important role in fighting infection, supplying nutrients to the body, and keeping organs functioning properly. [1] Water also regulates the body’s temperature [2] and will replenish any fluids you lose from urinating, sweating, or excessive exercising. There is no doubt that water is essential to our health and wellness, but […]