Reading your oxygen levels, Pulse Oximeter is a Valuable Tool In the old days, the only way to know what your oxygen levels were, was to draw an arterial blood sample, an invasive procedure. (Invasive means entry into the body by cut- ting or by inserting an instrument.) In 1935, a German physician developed the…
Health officials are warning this flu season has been particularly hard on the young and the elderly and could last until May. Three strains of influenza viruses – influenza A (H3N2), 2009 influenza A (H1N1) and influenza B viruses – have been especially harsh in terms of the number of people infected and the severity…
Sexual intimacy and COPD Sex and Sensibility: A Guide for a Good Sex Life COPD affects many areas of your life; sexuality is one of them. You may get short of breath when you are having intimate relations. COPD also affects your emotional health; you may feel anxious, depressed, or lonely. Many people with COPD…
Imperfect As I Am The true person, you are, is within you. God varies the appearance outside. To focus on oneself brings much sadness. For others see, not, what “you” see reflected, in that mirror showing only the shell – our “earthly” side. The mirror, in life, hangs not on your wall, But in the…
Ask Mark … Cindy is concerned about when to take Brovana, Spiriva and Symbicort. Mark advises, You do not need to wait between treatments when it comes to taking Brovana and Spiriva or Symbicort and Spiriva. You should not be taking both Brovana and Symbicort on a regular schedule. They are both long-acting beta agonists…
Calling Dr. Bauer … Most of us know friends or relatives who are being treated for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). During sleep, the muscles in the back of the throat (the tongue, tonsils and soft palate) become abnormally soft, weak and flaccid. This, in turn, blocks the air passages repeatedly, causing a poor quality…
Respiratory News To keep up on the latest pulmonary news, click on the link on the home page of www.pulmonarypaper.org. In patients with moderate-to-very-severe respiratory impairment, regular treatment to keep airways open with one or more long-acting bronchodilators (as Foradil or Serevent) or long-acting anticholinergic agent (as Spiriva or Pressair) is recommend- ed. A growing…
Yes, Virginia, It’s … If you itemize deductions on your income tax return, you may be able to get some of your medical expenses back that you have paid for throughout the year. Determine whether the allowable expenses you paid during the year (home mortgage interest, property and state income taxes, charitable donations,…
Editor’s Note Couples or friends often find themselves in somewhat of a rut, always doing the same activities and finding the routine boring. These habits are hard to break out of and often a small surprise, a change from the ordinary, can be exciting and very much appreciated! Do something unexpected and look for the…
Get Yourself Back Out There. People Are Waiting to Meet You! When we are on a Sea Puffer cruise, the respiratory therapists bring oxygen equipment for travelers to see and try out. One recently unnamed passenger was short of breath while walking. She had told her physician she would rather not use oxygen. Her oxygen…