Innovative Project Encourages Change to Stereotypes of COPD Our Lives, Our Air is the COPD Foundation’s inno- vative “phase two” of its Faces of COPD program. This civilian photography project encourages individuals with COPD to become involved in changing the stereo- types that come with a COPD diagnosis. Our Lives, Our Air will be a…
Traveling News -September 2010 When you make your airline or other travel reservations, make sure your name matches exactly what is on the government-issued ID that you are going to use for identification. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has announced that it will require full name (middle name too if on your passport or driver’s…
Respiratory News A two-step flu vaccine using DNA to “prime” the immune system and then a traditional seasonal influenza vaccine may be able to protect against all strains of the virus – providing that long-sought “universal” flu vaccine, U.S. researchers said recently. The team at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases…
Product Corner We learn of a new book from Theresa, a reader from North Carolina – What You Should Know About Asthma and Other Lung Diseases, authored by Dr. Nicholas DiFilippo. Theresa recommends the book to people with loved ones dealing with chronic lung problems to gain a better understanding of what it…
High Calorie Supplemental Shake People with COPD burn many times the calories just to breathe compared to those with normal lungs and can lose excessive amounts of weight in the process. Folks who need to gain weight may find it easier, and more delicious along the way, if they try the World…
Respiratory Care Reports A recent study in Respiratory Care reports the benefits of using non-invasive ventilation while doing your exer- cises in a pulmonary rehabilitation program compared to using supplemental oxygen only. Non-invasive ventilation supports your lungs through a mask or nasal pillow as CPAP users know. It was also reported that…
Strive for Your Optimal BMI Researchers collecting dietary information and measuring body mass index (BMI) and upper and lower body strength in patients with severe COPD found BMI was positively associated with upper and lower body strength. Total daily caloric, protein and carbohydrate intakes were pos- itively related to both upper and…
Beta-blockers Recommended for COPD A large observational study was reported in Archives of Internal Medicine involving 2,230 patients with COPD and the co-morbidities of hypertension or cardiovascular disease. Researchers found beta- blockers used in this population resulted in a lower risk for exacerbations and improved survival, possibly as a result of combined cardiopulmonary…
iPhone Breathing App Coming in January For those with iPhones, a new application will be available as a free download in January 2011. iBreathe will provide video-based instruction that explains the body’s reaction to stressors and how belly breathing can reduce stress. The application includes illustrative examples, narrated exercises, practice sessions, pre/post stress…
Fibrosis File O’Rourke Spreads the Word about Pulmonary Fibrosis Bob O’Rourke, advisor to the pres- ident at California Institute of Tech- nology (Caltech) in Pasadena, was diagnosed in 2006 with Pulmonary Fibrosis. He has become a one-man dynamo spreading the word about the disease and the need for research for treatment of it.…