Respiratory News A report in The Lancet tells us scientists have discovered an innovative treatment for bronchi- ectasis – regular doses of the antibiotic azithromycin. The research team enrolled 141 bronchiectasis patients in New Zealand. After six months, they discovered that 42 exacerbations occurred in the group receiving azithromy- cin versus 103 exacerbations…
Control Moisture to Counter Airway-Aggravating Molds we the develop can cause problems for those with already sensitive airways. Controlling moisture in your home is the most critical factor in prevent- ing mold growth. To prevent mold growth, clean wet items and sur- faces with detergent and water. To remove mold growth from hard…
Travel News Options for Traveling with Oxygen Are you traveling for the holidays? Remember if you use oxygen above 3LPM at a continuous setting, you will not be able to fly. Airlines based in the United States no longer supply oxygen in tanks and only accept portable oxygen c o nc e n…
Tai Chi’s Flowing Movements Are Good Exercise The European Respiratory Journal suggests that Tai Chi can improve exercise capacity and quality of life in people with COPD. This form of Tai Chi (Sun style) has been shown to help people with chronic conditions and involves less difficult movements, enabling people of all ages…
Sharing the Health The relationship between you and your caregiver can be frustrating for both parties. A common complaint is how to stop getting smothered by well meaning helpers. Many people are lucky enough to have relatives t are caregivers. If they are cur- ntly employed, balancing all parts their lives can be difficult. A…
Ask Mark … Aparna, a nursing student, asks what the normal oxygen satura- tion level of someone with COPD should be. Mark answers, There is no ‘normal’ or ‘standard’ oxygen satu- ration level for those with COPD. The normal range for oxygen saturation should be at or above s95%. A one’s COPD worsens,…
November is COPD Awareness Month! There are many ways for you to become actively involved in the treatment of your symptoms – both physically and emotionally. The COPD Foundation announced a new COPD Advocacy Drivers Program to spread the word that COPD is largely underdiagnosed, undertreated and underfunded. All it takes for you to become…
Fibrosis File The Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis (CPF) and the Westie Foundation of America (WFA) have formed a strategic alliance to fight Pulmonary Fibrosis. The WFA is a canine organization focused on the health of West Highland terriers or “Westies”. Interstitial Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) is known in the dog world as Westie lung disease. Researchers…
Medication Non-Compliance “It is really hard for me to remember to take my pills every morning. I have good intentions, it just doesn’t always happen.” Approximately 125,000 people with treatable ail- ments die each year in the United States because they do not take their medication properly. About 50% of the two billion…
Dear Dr. Bauer, My doctor told me that my bad back was affecting my breathing. How can this be? TB, Hawaii As we all age, our spine has a tendency to become more and more curved from front to back. This is called kyphosis. This can best be seen by the hunched over…