Feelings IT always helps to vent! If you or your caregiver would like to write about how you really feel about any aspect of chronic lung disease, we will credit you with a year’s membership. Please send to: The Pulmonary Paper, PO Box 877, Ormond Beach, FL 32175. Robert and Peg Riley of Ohio…
Ask Mark … We would like to congratulate Mark on receiving the honor of becoming a Fellow of the American Association for Respiratory Care. A fellowship is conferred upon those who have met a standard of excel- lence in their practice. We thank Mark for his unending and uncon- ditional support of people with…
Fibrosis File A recent lecture at the American College of Chest Physi- cians conference discussed a theory that Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) is caused by a repeated stimulus to the lung which results in injury. The injured lung does not heal properly and fibrosis or scarring occurs. The part of the lung that is fibrotic…
Calling Dr. Bauer Dear Dr. Bauer, I’m considering installing a new heating system in my home and am wondering if a UV or electronic air cleaner would be beneficial to me or is it a waste of money BK, Las Vegas, NV Air purification systems are likely to help those with allergy/asthma breath-…
Say Goodbye to CFC MDIs As a reminder, the time to say goodbye to CFC (chlorofluorocarbon) propelled metered dose inhalers (MDI) is here. After the last day of 2008, your pharmacy will no longer be allowed to dispense the inhalers that are thought to harm the earth’s ozone layer. They are being replaced…
Just the Facts! Medicare Payments for Oxygen Concentrators The oxygen user will not assume ownership of his or her concentrator. Beginning January 1, 2009, payments for your concentrator from Medicare to your oxygen provider will stop after 36 months. Your supplier will continue to be responsible to service your equipment–for example, changing the…
Respiratory News A proposal to give the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the power to regulate tobacco products appears dead for the year, but anti-smoking advocates say they expect it to pass in 2009. The measure passed the House this summer with overwhelming support, but a threat from Sen. Richard Burr from North…
Product Corner Eagle Respiratory Solu- tions, LLC markets a shoul- der bag to carry liquid oxygen portables up to size D tanks. The creator of the Freedom Sling, Joe Walsh, says he is first and foremost a patient with IPF (Idio- pathic Pulmonary Fibrosis). Out of necessity to free up his hands, Joe…
Traveling Tales Masks Solution to O2 Pressure Drop in 1930s At a party in 1937, the president of Northwest Airlines told Dr. Charles Mayo, son of one of the founders of the Mayo Clinic, about a recurring health problem among his pilots. They would become drowsy while flying at 13,000 feet or higher over…
Sharing the Health You have to keep it light! Last night my wife and I were out to dinner when six other folks (all strangers) walked in at were seated a few tables away. One was carrying a Helios liquid oxygen device. As they passed by, I yelled, “Hey, Airhead!” He and his wife turned…