Product Corner AirGuard Medical Products offers people with respiratory problems a way to protect their airways this winter. According to the manufacturer, the adjustable CT Mask lessens the risks of breathing cold air. Inside the mask is an efficient thermal exchange module that warms the air before is it inhaled. The CT Mask is made…
Traveling Tales Traveling with Oxygen Fran Zimet of Texas recently went to Northern California and could not get liquid oxygen in San Francisco and Monterrey Bay. She says, “I went through two oxygen companies who made phone calls for me. Liquid oxygen was unavailable, period. I found my portable oxygen concentrator, the Inogen One, was…
Tax Time Is Approaching Fast! It’s time for our annual income tax article! If you are an oxygen user, you may be able to take the cost of the electricity used to operate your concentrator as a medical deduction. Check with whoever prepares your annual income tax return if you can or would benefit from…
Jim Keeps It All Positive Jim Ryan knows the concept of paying it forward. He is the recipient of the 2008 Bill Peterson Shining Example Award presented by his local office of the American Lung Association. Jim received the award for keeping members of his Better Breathers Support Group up to date on Medicare oxygen…
Maxine from NC tells Mark she ended up in the emergency room and had to be put on BiPAP. Maxine asks how she got to that point! Mark explains, “COPD can advance to the point that you lose the ability to ventilate the lungs – the ‘mechanical’ act of moving air into and…
Dear Dr Bauer, I was diagnosed with bronchiectasis about 20 years ago. I am now on Spiriva which helps keep my lungs clear. My question is – why is there so much coughing with this condition? …
Early Birds Are Committed to Their Early Exercise Regime! Though New York is chilly, Mary Lou Cannon, RRT and the AM Coffee Club get up early to exercise! Though New York state is very chilly this time of year, the members of the Rochester General Pulmonary Rehabilitation AM Coffee Club get up early to exercise!…
It’s the new year – Put Exercise on Your Resolution List! Exercise is always included in New Year’s resolution lists. People with chronic lung disease have more of a challenge than most but often achieve more satisfaction when they work toward and meet their goals. After talking to your physician, he/she will probably recommend two…
Respiratory News The 2008-09 flu season has started out mild but scientists are trying to figure out why the dominant strain of flu circulating this year is resistant to the leading anti-viral drug, Tamiflu. The good news is that researchers have found out what made the 1918 flu pandemic so deadly – three genes that…
Oxygen Policy Changes How does Medicare pay for O2 and O2 equipment? Medicare pays suppliers a monthly fee for furnishing all medically necessary oxygen and oxygen equipment, including accessories and supplies like tubing or a mouthpiece. Assuming that you have no unmet Part B deductible, Medicare pays 80 per- cent of the allowed amount and…