Staying Healthy and Preventing COPD Exacerbations

By Jane M. Martin, BA, LRT, CRT, Health Pro Tuesday, September 07, 2010

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“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”~~ Benjamin Franklin“Stat neb treatment in the Emergency Room – Stat neb treatment in the Emergency Room.” The voice of the ER unit secretary came across my pager. It was 10:00pm on a cool fall night. I walked in...

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Comorbidies of COPD

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Betsy

9/12/10 4:56pm

Are the wipes which some stores provide sufficient for the cart handles?

Jane M. Martin, BA, LRT, CRT, Health Pro

9/28/10 11:52am

Hello Betsy,

I can't tell without seeing what they use, but if they use a fresh new anti-bacterial wipe on each cart, it should help. On the other hand, if they're using the same cloth to wipe multiple cart handles, I wouldn't trust that to be free of most of the bacteria.

Hope this helps.

Jane.

http://www.breathingbetterlivingwell.com

V, Health Guide

9/19/10 5:01pm

I have asthma that came on strong earlier this year. Would these same warning signs apply to asthma? I think I will make an appointment w/my doctor for a flu and pneumonia shot. Every time I get a cold it ends up in my chest and lasts a long time. Thanks for this sharepost. It has some practical information in it that many doctors don't share w/their patients for some reason.

Jane M. Martin, BA, LRT, CRT, Health Pro

9/28/10 11:59am

Hello V,

Yes, I would say that if you have asthma, many of these early warning signs pertain to you. However, do show this article to your doctor and ask about what early warning signs he or she wants you to watch for. Also, ask about using a peak flow meter to monitor your airflow at home. It's easy to do and often will give you an indication of airway narrowing even before you feel distress.

Finally, folks with repeated asthma episodes who have a family history of lung disease should ask their docs about being tested for Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency. Often this diagnosis is missed because breathing problems are passed off as asthma, something more familiar to docs, but not nearly as rare as they think.

Thanks for this comment, V! I wish you well.

Jane.

http://www.breathingbetterlivingwell.com

Staying Healthy and Preventing COPD Exacerbations

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