Sharing the Health!

I would like to share that if anyone is on the medications Breo Ellipta or Spiriva, you can get Breo Ellipta free for one year and pay no more than $10/month for Spiriva. You may qualify even if you have insurance.

See www.mybreo.com/COPD or call 1-888- 825-5249 and www.spiriva.com/copd/why-spiriva/savings-and-support for more information. You may phone 1-888-777- 1919 for additional information on Spiriva’s program.

Kathy L., Passaic, NJ

Ellen G. of California writes, My good friend sent me a note that she finally got a better understanding of what it is like to have a chronic illness by reading an article entitled “The Spoon Theory” by Christine Miserandino found on the Internet at www.butyoudontlooksick.com

I invite you to share it with your family and friends as it may make them realize that the activities you choose to do and the time you may spend at these activities are not really something over which you have total control. Each spoon represents something you will do that particular day – you only have so many spoons to work with and you decide what you will accomplish. Family and friends will see you are making the best choices for you!

Every so often, it is a good idea to clean your showerhead. Atypical mycobacteria has been known to build up. It is a dangerous bug for people with chronic respiratory problems. Fill a plastic bag with white vinegar, cover the showerhead and close the bag with a rubber band at the top, soak for an hour. You can then shower with confidence!

Bronchiectasis is a lung disorder where the bronchial tubes are permanently and abnormally widened (dilated), causing secretions to pool and be difficult to cough out. This situation often results in frequent infections. Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM lung disease) refers to bacteria that cause lung problems but not tuberculosis and is commonly known as MAC. In an effort to meet the needs of the bronchiectasis and NTM communities, the COPD Foundation has created the Bronchiectasis and NTM Initiative.

BronchandNTM360social is an online community where members can interact, ask questions, read and comment on blog posts, and more. You will find educational information and research programs such as the Bronchiectasis and NTM Research Registry. Visit www.NTMinfo.org and www.brinchandNTM260social.org to learn more.

Nina C. of California gets together with ladies who are helping take care of loved ones who have medical problems. They recently discussed ways to get through difficult times.

You need to state your feelings and discuss them; holding them inside will only cause more problems and stress.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help from family, friends, neighbors, church members, or if possible, hire someone if no one is available.
Join or establish a support group to be able to talk to other There are sites on the Internet as www.caregiveraction.org and www.caregiver.org
Take time out for you every day.
Take one crisis at a time, don’t let things get overwhelming.
Plan ahead to avoid problems.
Keep a positive attitude.

E-Cigarettes Now Regulated by the FDA!

The FDA has finally issued rulings that bring electronic cigarettes, hookah pipes, and cigars into the agency’s regulation of tobacco products.

These products will now be subject to the same restrictions as traditional cigarettes, including a ban on sales to minors and restriction on advertising and marketing. The FDA also gets authority over ingredients and product design, which many have speculated, will spell the end to youth-friendly flavors.

Calls to poison control centers resulting from exposure to vaping liquids by young children have increased dramatically with the popularity of e-cigarettes. There were comas, seizures, and even one death from these exposures.

We can only hope regulating e-cigarettes will be successful for the war on smoking. Bans on smoking may have a higher success rate on discouraging our young people to stop smoking than imposing high taxes on cigarettes. If they are unable to smoke inside restaurants or bars, they are choosing not to smoke at all.

The FDA has also teamed with Minor League Baseball for a campaign to reduce smokeless tobacco use, including chewing tobacco and dip, among rural male teens.

In a study done on human cells exposed to extracts taken from e-cigarettes, cell death and breaks in DNA strands were found. This is the kind of cell damage associated with the development of cancer.

I would like to share how I keep my tubing from getting tangled up around the house! I use two 25-foot length oxygen tubing with a swivel connector. I hang the tubing over a door and it really does stay straightened out when I use it. It works with cannulas too – I hang them from a hook and it not only keeps them from tangling but also gets rid of the plastic odor. Putting four bed risers underneath the concentrator in my bedroom keeps the air moving around it and keeps the room cooler for me.

Jacquie T., Glendale, AZ

A report presented at the recent American Thoracic Society conference compiled the input of patients, family members, health- care providers, payers, and pharmaceutical companies to highlight the COPD patient experience and address gaps in COPD care delivery. The 54-page report outlines the current state of COPD care, the economic burden of the disease, our community’s research and evaluation efforts, COPD- specific care and coordination of that care, and the assessment of quality and cost- effectiveness. To read the entire article about the important needs in the next decade for people with COPD, register for a free Lancet account at http://tinyurl.com/j3n9ryh and access the full article at this link, http://tinyurl.com/jaqwbcl

I bruise very easily and use a product called Dermablend to cover the purple blotches on my arms. You can get this in many department stores or order it from the Internet. It is definitely not necessary but makes me feel better! Fran Z., El Paso, TX

If you are a member of Facebook, you will want to join the Ultimate Pulmonary Wellness group sponsored by New York’s Dr. Noah Greenspan, Program Director of the Pulmonary Wellness and Rehabilitation Center, and join in some lively discus- sions! Dr. Greenspan also has a web site at www.pulmonarywellness.com and has a new video presentation, “Physiology of Exercise for the Pulmonary Patient,” that can be seen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhgfzLEYNVo

Our friend John Leaman of the Asthma/ Emphysema Self-Help Group and editor of Respiratory News and Views, recently re- ported on Dr. Greenspan’s presentation at a recent Lung Force Expo. He lists basics that can be changed to improve lung function.

Medical.People with pulmonary problems should have three physicians – an internist, a pulmonologist and a cardiologist. The cardiologist is necessary because of the similarity of many symptoms of lung and heart disease.
Exercise. You should be exercising every day, if only for five minutes at first, working up to as long as you can. Start off with an aerobic activity and add strength and flexibility training – all forms of exercise are beneficial.
Nutrition. People with lung problems have different needs than others. You want to limit carbohydrates because they may increase carbon dioxide production.
Stress and Anxiety Management. Re- lax! Stress will release adrenaline which will increase your shortness of
Prevention of Infection. Wash your hands and try and avoid sources of contamination.