People with pulmonary hypertension (PH) can find help at www.phaware.global PH, or high blood pressure in the lungs, makes it difficult to receive adequate oxygen and forces the heart to work harder, often resulting in heart failure. “PHaware” was founded by a group of pulmonary hypertension awareness activists. Comprised of those with PH, caregivers…
Editor’s Note You may have heard that there was a hurricane in Florida soon after one devastated parts of Texas. The news was relentless for a week urging people to prepare by boarding up their homes, to stock up on water and non-perishable foods and, if things looked too bad, to get ready to leave.…
Editor’s Note Clowning around is ok! Meet Kolo – aka Fran Etzkorn – the first oxygen-wearing professional clown I have ever met and her husband John, a really nice guy in his own right. Fran is one of those people you love to be around -she is always smiling and has a surprise or two…
Thoughts on Using Oxygen Back in the 1980s when I began writing this newsletter, I would call old and new friends for advice. John Leaman of New York City, editor of Respiratory News and Views, was one of those friends. John is now retiring after helping others cope with respiratory problems for many years. We…
Editor’s Note The definition of exploration is the action of traveling in or through an unfamiliar area in order to learn about it. This could mean reading about a subject you are interested in, attending a class or touring a region to see, touch and feel things with your own senses. A professor once advised…
Editor’s Note Even though it is the season – don’t be fooled! Oxygen users have been trying to understand the confusing language of portable oxygen concentrators (POCs) since they came on the market. It doesn’t help that the machines all deliver different amounts of oxygen when set at the same setting. We were pretty upset…
Editor’s Note Lots of changes are in the air besides the color of the trees! My husband Mark is retiring and we will have big news about a new addition to our family soon. Change can be welcomed or dreaded, anticipated or unexpected, shocking or soothing, depressing or joyful and life changing. Adapting…
Editor’s Note The power of pride of being an American can be an important tool to help us through recent dark days! With the insane and brutal headlines that have been bombarding us lately, it is hard to find anything to smile about. Senseless killings happening around the world got me thinking about how proud…
The Language of Dyspnea Understanding Why You Are Short of Breath: The Language of Dyspnea by John R. Goodman BS, RRT, FAARC and Mark Mangus BS, RRT, FAARC People with cardiac problems commonly describe their chest pain as “pressure,” “tightness,” “dull” or perhaps “crushing weight.” Cardiologists use these descriptions to help them make a specific…
Buyer Beware with Stem Cell Claims! There are an estimated 100 stem cell clinics in the United States operating on questionable claims and with little supervision. Reporters from the Tampa Bay Times reported on a local center known as the Lung Institute and their involvement in stem cell treatments. You can read the entire article…