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…
Ask Mark Brian from COPD Canada (www.copdcanada.ca) asks Mark if there are recommendations for indoor environments or air filter use for people with COPD. Mark advises, Indoor air quality is an ongoing and difficult issue that affects folks very individually. Where one lives, the local and immediate pollutants, allergens and weather seem to contribute much…
Ask Mark … Cindy is concerned about when to take Brovana, Spiriva and Symbicort. Mark advises, You do not need to wait between treatments when it comes to taking Brovana and Spiriva or Symbicort and Spiriva. You should not be taking both Brovana and Symbicort on a regular schedule. They are both long-acting beta agonists…
Ask Mark … Corrine has Interstitial Lung Disease and asks if taking predni sone would be of help to her. Mark says, Interstitial Lung Disease is thankfully a slow progressing disease. The problem is that it affects oxygenation pretty significantly and does not have much in the way of curative medications available to…
Ask Mark Terrie M. of Acton, CA, was told by her physician not to “overuse” her oxygen as it may cause oxygen toxicity and harm her lungs. She asks for more information. Mark explains, It is all but impos- sible to experience oxygen toxicity when using any home oxygen sys- tem, in any amount.…
Ask Mark Tom asks how low can you let your oxygen saturation drop before you get into trouble? Mark replies, That is a loaded question and not easily answered with a simple, straightforward response. A onetime drop in saturation will rarely cause any direct harm, in and of itself, as long as it…
Ask Mark … Gene from California comments he is continually losing weight and asks for Mark’s advice. Mark recommends, Daily calories you should consume are based on your age, sex and how active you are, but are approximately 1,800–2,200 per day. Those with COPD should consume up to 50% more calories per day to supply…
Ask Mark … Bob has Pulmonary Hypertension (PH) and wonders why his physician has not ordered an inhaler for him. Mark explains, If your PH is the primary cause for your shortness of breath then all the inhaler use in the world will not have any beneficial effect to improve either your breathing or your…
Ask Mark … Aparna, a nursing student, asks what the normal oxygen satura- tion level of someone with COPD should be. Mark answers, There is no ‘normal’ or ‘standard’ oxygen satu- ration level for those with COPD. The normal range for oxygen saturation should be at or above s95%. A one’s COPD worsens,…