Spread the Word about Augmentation Therapy for Alpha-1! Alpha-1 is the genetic form of emphysema caused by a lack of a protein in the blood. Even though augmentation (or re- placement) therapy has been available for 25 years, a small fraction of those with Alpha-1 emphyse- ma receive the therapy. It involves…
Portable Oxygen Concentrator Update In the January 2000 issue of Respiratory Care, Dr. Tom Petty stated that, “Practical portable concentrators should weigh no more than 10 pounds, produce 90% or more oxygen, and provide at least 2L of oxygen for a minimum of 4 hours.” Within two years, the first modern portable oxygen concentrator (POC)…
Respiratory News Researchers from New York’s Mount Sinai have partnered with Theragene Pharmaceuticals to further develop a new airway-delivered gene therapy for pulmo- nary hypertension. After showing prom- ising results in animal studies, this new therapy will advance to clinical trials, which are expected to take place in the next two years. If…
Calling Dr. Bauer … Dear Dr. Bauer, I am a 65-year old woman with COPD. My pulmonologist told me about recent research that indicated, at least for the popu- lation in the study, that some people with COPD might not be benefiting from oxygen therapy and don’t really need it. I am an active person,…
Pulse Oximetry and Oxygen during Flying You are planning to take a flight for your vacation and are wondering if you should use supplemental oxygen or turn up your normal flow. Although all commercial passenger airplanes have pressurized cabins, the ambient pressure in the cabin is usually equivalent to an altitude of 8,000 feet above…
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. I am writing to encourage people to…
POC Market Continues to Expand There are two new portable oxygen concentrators (POCs) coming to market, each one features a continuous flow option. OxLife Inc. introduced the first small oxygen concentrator in 1992. To- day that concentrator evolved into the Freedom 5, a 5 LPM concentrator that And weighs 32 pounds and can run in…
Fibrosis File Our members with pulmonary fibrosis often ask us how they may enroll in a clinical trial being conducted for potentially safe, new medications and treatments. For those with access to the Internet, you may go to www.clinicaltrials.gov and find over 50,000 ongoing clinical trials; searching for those having to do with pulmonary fibrosis…
Traveling Tales Airline Oxygen Regulations Update As of October 1, 2009, Northwest Airlines will no longer provide airline oxygen. Travelers can continue to use one of the approved Portable Oxygen Concentrators (POCs.) Since the maximum continuous liter flow on available POCs is 3LPM, we asked a representative what arrangements could be made for the…
Aspiration Pneumonia is Very Serious UC Berkeley School of Public Health wants you to be aware of aspiration pneumonia which happens when you accidentally inhale food particles, liquid, saliva or regurgitated stomach contents into the airways and it gets into your lung tissue. Substances breathed into your lungs may be contaminated with bacteria, viruses or…