Ask Mark Brian from Canada asks, Are there recommended indoor conditions or filtering equipment for someone with COPD? Mark replies, This question comes up again and again among those with COPD. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to answer with much of a helpful response. Indoor air quality is an ongoing and difficult issue that affects…
Calling Dr. Bauer … Doris from Florida has been diagnosed with pulmonary hypertensionandasks Dr. Bauerforasimpleexplanation of her problem. Dr. Bauer explains the upper number of a blood pressure read- ing tells you the amount of force pushing against your artery walls when the heart is contracting. The bottom number is the pressure when the heart…
Ask Mark Whether trying to gain or maintain weight, I have seen many people with COPD follow diets of foods high in carbohydrates. Instead, you should aim for a diet that is made up of less than 40 percent fats. Cholesterol is an essential component and is manufactured in our body. It plays a role…
Ask Mark … Nina from EFFORTS is wondering why she seems to get another infection as soon as she stops taking antibiotics! Mark explains, We have to consider that recurring infections may not be separate or new infections nor are they likely to be necessarily bacterial in nature. Antibiotics are effective only against bacteria and…
The Ryan Report This issue’s article is going to be a little bit different than the norm. In November 2014, I had the opportunity to visit Tokyo, Japan, on a workrelated trip, and I felt some readers may be interested in the experience. For those that do not know, I work for a small company,…
Calling Dr. Bauer … As we start the new year, I would like to share some of the guidance I give my patients about when to call and what to do in case of an emergency. At the end of every clinic visit, I tell them to call me if they have any new breathing…
Ask Mark … Robert from New Mexico was told to gargle with water, every time he uses an inhaler or nebulizer and asks if this is necessary. Mark says, While it won’t hurt to rinse your mouth after using your Spiriva, Albuterol, Formoterol or Salmeterol, it is not necessary to do so. It is the…
Ask Mark … Mark Mangus RRT, BSRC, is a member of the Medical Board of EFFORTS (Emphysema Foundation For Our Right To Survive, www. emphysema. net). He generously donates his time to answer members’ questions as well as for COPD Canada, www. copdcanada.ca. Ann from Canada, whose physician told her she has Stage III COPD,…
Ask Mark Don from Canada asks if the accuracy of a pulse oximeter is affected by movement. When he checked his readings about seven minutes into his walk, it read 88%, within 5 seconds of stopping it went to 92% and within 15 seconds was at 95%. Is this accurate, dropping and recovering…
Ask Mark … Sharon from New Mexico was recently hospitalized with a pneumo thorax and asks Mark to explain what caused it. Mark explains, A quick review of how the lungs work might help understand how a pneumothorax may occur, as well as what must be done to correct it and reduce chances of its…