Asthma News People with hard to control asthma have found relief in a treatment called bronchial thermoplasty and recent research reveals its effects last at least five years. Once per- formed, they had fewer emergency visits, used less medication and missed fewer days at work. During bronchial thermoplasty, a phy- sician uses a…
Smoking News I recently noticed a man using a portable oxygen concentrator while we were walking through a town. As we got closer, I saw that he was smoking with the cannula in his nose! If you need help quitting, the latest re- search finds that using the nicotine patch plus the medication,…
Ten Minutes, Three Times a Day Work Yourself Back into Activity Many research projects look into why people with COPD have decreased exercise capacity – what a person is capable of doing. One study found that people who have lost body fat are not as active as they previously were, nor were people who…
Cut Pollution, Breathe Easier! In a study published recently in the jour- nal Environmental Pollution, it was esti- mated that trees are saving more than 850 human lives a year and preventing 670,000 cases of acute respiratory symptoms. Researchers valued the human health effects of the reduced air pollution at nearly $7 billion…
Of Interest A study done in Portugal showed family members who are caring for a person with COPD experience anxiety and depression symptoms. Perceived burden, female gender, older age and person’s activities limitation were predictors of these distressing symptoms. Healthcare workers should be aware of the family’s psychological needs and offer sources of…
New POC on the Market A Look at the SeQual® eQuinox The newest addition to the portable oxygen concentrator (POC) market is the SeQual® eQuinox. Manufactured by CAIRE Medical/Chart Industries, the eQuinox is the heir apparent to the SeQual Eclipse product line. The eQuinox is being marketed as “the newest, quietest, and most advanced…
October 2014 Reimbursement Change Medicare Reducing COPD Hospital Re-Admissions Coverage Medicare reimbursement for hospital admissions with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) will change this October. The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will expand its Hospital Readmission Reduction Program to include COPD. Under the new policy, if you are admitted to the hospital…
Fibrosis File There has been quite a bit of activity lately in the world of Idiopathic Pul- monary Fibrosis (IPF). We have the atten- tion of pharmaceutical companies, elected government officials and agencies! The FDA is conducting a public meeting on IPF patient-focused drug development. The FDA is interested in obtaining your input…
Hot Times! When temperatures rise on the thermometer and humidity is high, it can create extra problems for those with chronic lung problems. Does that mean you shouldn’t leave the comfort of air con- ditioning to venture out- doors? Common sense will tell you when it might be too overbearing to breathe. Everyone…
Calling Dr. Bauer Dear Dr. Bauer, I was thinking about athletes that use various treatments (some banned, some not) to increase their red blood cell count. It would seem that an increase in the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood could benefit those suffering lung related issues. In essence, work both sides of the…