Calling Dr Bauer Dear Dr Bauer: I have emphysema, but by following my doctor’s instructions to a “T”, I do well. I have heard that people with emphysema should receive a pneumonia shot more often that every five years. Is this true? F.G., Trinidad, TX The pneumonia vaccine is currently recommended for all patients 65…
Ask Mark Gary M. from EFFORTS asks, What are the benefits of a smoker quitting when he/she has emphysema? My guess is that shortness of breath may improve but not lung function. Are we just dragging things out? Mark answers: It has been my observation and experience with thousands of folks over decades, that quitting,…
Learning about Pulmonary Hypertension Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) is continuous high blood pressure in the pulmonary artery, a major blood vessel that leaves the heart to bring blood to the small pulmonary arteries of the lungs. It is here the blood picks up a fresh supply of oxygen. Normally, the average blood pressure in the…
Respiratory News The American College of Physicians now recommends a shingles vaccine for all adults 60 or older. Zostavax from Merck has been available for two years. Studies have shown it can significantly reduce the occurrence and pain of the disease. This is a live virus vaccine so be sure to ask your physician if…
Product Corner Humidifiers and Purifiers: Know the Facts The February 2008 issue of Consumer Reports contained an article that discussed the Venta-Airwasher which claims to be a humidifier and purifier in one unit. The manufac- turer says their product would trap “even the very finest particles, as small as 10 microns.” In reality, a 10…
Traveling Tales Sequal and the SeaPuffers The SeaPuffers are people who happen to use supple- mental oxygen and share a desire to travel with their families and friends. Sequal Technologies Inc. is a company who makes the Eclipse, the portable oxygen concentrator (POC) that is capable of continuous flow. The two got together on a…
Legislative Update Washington, DC has had hundreds of visits, letters and calls from oxygen users, respi- ratory therapists, home care companies and others concerned with Medicare coverage of oxygen. As you know, in December 2005, a rul- ing was passed as part of the Deficient Reduction Act, that transfers ownership of your oxygen concentrator from…
Sharing the Health To avoid some of those nasty bluish red bruises to the forearm that a lot of us with COPD experience, I buy the elasticized wrist bands (extra-long) that are available in any sports department. If I can’t find the extra-long, I use the regular size and double them up on my arm…