If you have chronic illness it’s good to find a support group. You can interact with people who understand what you’re going through and how you feel. You can also share ideas with each other. If you are unable to get out of the house or if there’s no group in your area you can find many message boards and forums online.

If you’ve been reading this blog you’re already familiar with an MDI or inhaler. You’re probably thinking, that’s great for someone with the ability to coordinate the breathing and actuation of the inhaler that’s required but what do we do with a young child or an elderly relative. An inhaler can still be used with the addition of a spacer which slows down the delivery of the medication allowing greater benefits with less coordination. These spacers can be used with a mouthpiece or a mask. To get even greater benefits a nebulizer is the treatment of choice.

Apnea means without breath. Sleep apnea is when a person stops breathing during sleep. You may not realize there’s a problem.

Sleep apnea can be serious if untreated. It can cause or contribute to high blood pressure, poor memory or forgetfulness, headaches, weight gain and impotency in men. It can impair your judgment at work and may lead to automobile accidents.

People with COPD know that you can have good and bad days. On the bad days everything seems to take your breath away. You just can’t seem to get a deep enough breath no matter what you do. You’re exhausted and have no energy what so ever. Below are some things you can do to help make those bad days a little easier.