Ask Mark … IF you are on oxygen therapy, how can you tell if your carbon dioxide is too high? Mark Mangus, RRT EFFORTS Bo Mark Mangus RRT, BSRC, is a member of the Medical Board of EFFORTS (the online support group, Emphysema Foundation For Our Right To Survive, www.emphysema. net). He generously…
Ask Mark Sharon from EFFORTS asks about her husband who gets fre quent chest infections. Usually the infection clears after a course or two of antibiotics, but they are now returning five days after he stops the antibiotics. How do you get rid of these chest infections? Mark Mangus RRT, BSRC, is a…
Ask Mark … David from EFFORTS writes, My oxygen saturation (SpO2) readings stay around 92% to 94% at rest but during exerciseor activity, they drop to the mid 80s. They come back up within a minute or so. Am I hurting myself by not wearing my oxygen? Mark tells us, This is a subject about…
Calling Dr. Bauer Dear Dr. Bauer, JB from Orlando, FL, writes, I often feel chills and shiver when I don’t have a cold or infection. Could this be due to the fact that I am on oxygen therapy? Dr. Bauer explains, Circulation problems are nearly always the main cause of feeling cold all the time.…
Ask Mark … Bob from Texas was recently turned down to have Lung Volume Reduction Surgery (LVRS) and asks if others have had similar experiences. Mark tells us, In LVRS, parts of the lung that are non-functioning due to emphysema are removed, allowing the remaining, non- diseased lung to expand and work better. Only around…
Calling Dr. Bauer The symptoms of Scleroderma are referred to as “CREST”. Calcinosis: Calcium deposits in the skin. Raynaud’s phenomenon: Spasms of blood vessels in response to cold or stress. Esophageal dysfunction:Acid reflux and decrease in motility of esophagus. Sclerodactyly: Thickening and tightening of the skin of the fingers and hands. Telangiectasias: Dilation of capillaries…
Ask Mark … Reza A. of Florida always uses pursed lip breathing but asks Mark to explain why it helps. Mark explains, Pursed lip breathing (PLB) involves exhaling through puckered lips as if you were going to whistle. As an “exhalation” maneuver, PLB is intended to (1) splint the airways, allowing (2) extension of the…
Ask Mark Theresa wants to know what helps with her shaking? She takes Albuterol, Symbicort, Spiriva and Theophylline and often feels like her insides are quivering. Mark explains, There is a possibility that you are taking too much beta-agonist medication. Beta-agonists are medications that relax muscles of the airways, which opens them to…
Ask Mark … Linda from Florida takes QVAR, Proventil and Atrovent inhalers She is not sure which one is causing her to feel like her throat is scratchy and closing along with an unusual taste in her mouth. Mark suggests using a spacer or valved holding chamber when taking the inhalers if not…
Ask Mark Francine from EFFORTS asks Mark if it has ever been decided when is the best time to take Spiriva – morning or night? Mark Mangus RRT, BSRC, is a member of the Medical Board of EFFORTS (the online support group, Emphysema Foundation For Our Right To Survive, www.emphysema. net). He generously…