Calling Dr. Bauer Dear Dr. Bauer, As a bona fide elder at 80 years, I try to keep on top of the daily things I need to remember like pills, inhalers and bills! Every once in a while, weary at the end of the day, I forget to turn my concentrator down from…
Reprinted with permission from The COPD Foundation Home Medical Supplies: Changes that May Affect You! Competitive Bidding: What’s the issue? In 2008, Congress passed a law that changes the way Medicare will pay for many types of supplies that beneficiaries receive at home. The law phases in a program called ‘competitive bidding’ starting…
Respiratory News Relax! U.S. investigators who looked at data on 1828 patients with moderate to severe emphysema found anxiety significantly worsens outcomes. A ten point increase in the anxiety score was linked to a average decrease in six minute walk distance of 9 meters. The study appeared in the March 9, 2010 Epublication edition…
Product Corner R.D. Martin was diagnosed with COPD more than 20 years ago. He is the author of a new book entitled, The Complete Guide to Under- standing and Living with COPD, from a COPDer’s Perspective. We think you will enjoy reading it, as Mr. Martin presents his tips and information in an upbeat…
See the Forest and the Trees Trish Barron from McKean, PA, used items of poetry and her thoughts about having Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis/COPD to share with others who have chronic debilitating diseases when she was part of a study conducted by Stanford University a few years ago. She and fellow participants shared feelings, health issues,…
All Aboard! Cross-Country Amtrak Adventures Armed with an Inogen and Sequal Eclipse portable oxygen concentrators, Chris Wigley and his wife Gwen, boarded an Amtrak train in Fort Lauderdale, FL, for a cross country journey to Seattle, WA. Chris and Gwen are in charge of the online support group, www.COPDCanada. com and have friends all…
Asthma News Make sure you talk to your physician about these new asthma studies! A report in the American Journal of Res- piratory and Critical Care Medicine showed when asthma patients, who check their morning peak flow measurements daily, saw their numbers decreasing and felt an exacerbation coming on, quadrupled the dose of their inhaled…
Fibrosis File Pirfenidone Approval Delayed On May 4, 2010, the FDA chose to ask for further study of Pirfenidone, which will delay potential approval of the first drug in the treatment of Pulmonary Fibrosis. On March 9, 2010, an FDA Advisory Committee recommended approval of the drug by the FDA. “This news is disappointing…
New Health Care Law and What It Means to You! President Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care Act into law on March 23 of this year. By no means a complete explanation of the changes we can expect, we would like to bring you highlights of the new law. It is hoped…
Respiratory News It’s been known Vitamin D plays a crucial role in our immune system, but research reveals why lacking the nutrient prevents the body’s soldiers – T cells – from fighting off serious infections. T cells are dormant immune cells until they are activated to detect and kill bacteria and viruses. A new study…