Ask Mark … We have received many requests for Mark to describe his breathing exercise known as the “Tripod Technique”. To do the “Tripod Technique” stand near an object which is sturdy enough for you to lean against with- out shifting or moving. It should be six to twelve inches shorter than you are. Examples…
Ask Mark John Grub of Enola, PA, asks if Mark has heard complaints about changes made in Foradil Aerolizer blister packaging and wonders if others are having difficulty opening it. The perforations are poor and literally impossible to tear open and remove the covering for each capsule! I feel sorry for those that are afflict-…
Ask Mark Carole from Canada writes, I’ve been thinking of purchasing an oximeter. My doctor doesn’t think it’s necessary and I might obsess with it. I would like to check my saturation and heart rate when I’m exercising at home, when I have the oxygen off and when I feel light headed. I would also…
Ask Mark … Judy from Arizona asks Mark how do you avoid getting pulmonary hypertension. Mark replies, Pulmonary hyper- tension (PH) is abnormally high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs. The right side of your heart is forced to work harder to push the blood through abnormally constricted vessels in your…
Alex from Minneapolis, MN, asks Mark about exercising when you have pulmonary hypertension (PAH). Mark explains, of paramount importance is to maintain adequate oxygenation while exercising. If not maintained relatively high, breath- lessness and anxiety will rule, bring- ing those who suffer them to their knees. If you are not able to keep your saturation…
Ask Mark EFFORTS members who are con- sidering having a lung transplant ask Mark to define ‘lung allocation score’. Mark replies, Every lung transplant candidate, age 12 and older, receives an individualized lung allocation score. This score is an important factor in determining priority for receiving a lung transplant when a donor lung…
Ask Mark … Seth asks if Mark knows of scientific studies regarding the impact of exercise on COPD. Mark replies, “If you visit http:// scholar.google.com and type in this topic in the search box, you will find almost 22,000 results! Various methods to increase oxygenation and ventilation during exercise have been studied, including using CPAP…
Ask Mark Alice from New York is confused about her hospital rehabilitation exercise program and Medicare reimbursement! Mark says, “Where pulmonary rehabilitation is concerned, every- thing is tied to (1) medical necessity for services rendered, (2) potential for improvement and (3) progress in terms of improvement. If you do not make progress, have plateaued or…
Ask Mark Otto from EFFORTS is confused about oxygen that comes in gas tanks, liquid reservoirs or concen- trators and asks Mark what is the best type of oxygen system to use. Mark advises, “While all oxygen systems have their positive and neg- ative points, the “best” system for a given individual is one that…
Ask Mark Rosemarie wonders if you can give someone the flu after you receive your vaccination and asks if we should be wearing masks for protection. Mark answers, “You won’t ‘give someone’ the flu simply from getting the vaccine in the dead virus form! Only those who get the nose spray get a live…