COPD Basics
COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, is a chronic lung disease that is progressive and incurable. From emphysema to Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency, chronic bronchitis to bronchiectasis, learn more about causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and prevention COPD, including how to cope and quitting smoking.
Normal Adult Vital Signs
If you are caring for a loved one with COPD, it is important you know normal adult vital signs. This guide to normal adult vital signs should serve as a reference range to guide you as to when to seek medical attention.
If you are caring for a loved one with COPD, it is important you know normal adult vital signs. This guide to normal adult vital signs should serve as a reference range to guide you as to when to seek medical attention.
First Things First: - Learn How Your Lungs Work
The respiratory system is composed of the nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchial tree, alveoli and lungs. Take a fun tour of the respiratory system to find out how your lungs work.
The respiratory system is composed of the nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchial tree, alveoli and lungs. Take a fun tour of the respiratory system to find out how your lungs work.
What is COPD?
Definition of COPD.
Definition of COPD.
Facts About COPD
Find out all the facts about COPD, including definition, causes, signs and symptoms, diagnostic testing, treatment and prevention options.
Find out all the facts about COPD, including definition, causes, signs and symptoms, diagnostic testing, treatment and prevention options.
To Breathe Again: 4 Causes of COPD That Are Preventable
Cigarette smoking is the #1 risk factor for COPD. Other risk factors include secondhand smoke, air pollution and work-related exposure to irritants.
Cigarette smoking is the #1 risk factor for COPD. Other risk factors include secondhand smoke, air pollution and work-related exposure to irritants.
Symptoms of COPD
Signs and symptoms of COPD can be debilitating. Find out more about the signs and symptoms of COPD.
Signs and symptoms of COPD can be debilitating. Find out more about the signs and symptoms of COPD.
Types of COPD
COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is an umbrella term for a broad classification of disorders that are characterized by obstruction of the airways and limitation to airflow. Diseases that fall under the scope of COPD include emphysema, chronic bronchitis and bronchiectasis. Learn more about how to manage each type of COPD.
COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is an umbrella term for a broad classification of disorders that are characterized by obstruction of the airways and limitation to airflow. Diseases that fall under the scope of COPD include emphysema, chronic bronchitis and bronchiectasis. Learn more about how to manage each type of COPD.
Diagnosis of COPD
Learn about the many ways to diagnose COPD including labs tests, x-rays, pulmonary function tests, pulse oximetry and lung diffusion studies.
Learn about the many ways to diagnose COPD including labs tests, x-rays, pulmonary function tests, pulse oximetry and lung diffusion studies.
COPD and Pulmonary Function Tests: Know Your Numbers
In COPD, lung disease is determined by pulmonary fuction tests including spirometry, diffusion and body plethysmography testing.
In COPD, lung disease is determined by pulmonary fuction tests including spirometry, diffusion and body plethysmography testing.
The 5 Things That Everyone Should Know About COPD
Learn 5 things that everyone should know about chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) but were afraid to ask.
Learn 5 things that everyone should know about chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) but were afraid to ask.
The Emotional Effects of COPD
The emotional effects of COPD can sometimes be unbearable. particularly if you don't have a good support system. Learn more about how COPD affects your emotions and what to do about it.
The emotional effects of COPD can sometimes be unbearable. particularly if you don't have a good support system. Learn more about how COPD affects your emotions and what to do about it.
Test Your Knowledge: Take the COPD Quiz
Are you up on all of the latest about COPD? Test your knowledge of COPD by taking this fun, informative COPD quiz.
Are you up on all of the latest about COPD? Test your knowledge of COPD by taking this fun, informative COPD quiz.
Why Did the FDA Issue a Warning Statment About the COPD Medication Spiriva?
On March 18, 2008, the FDA issued a statement warning people about a potentially fatal side effect of the COPD medication, Spiriva. Find out more about why the FDA has issued this warning.
On March 18, 2008, the FDA issued a statement warning people about a potentially fatal side effect of the COPD medication, Spiriva. Find out more about why the FDA has issued this warning.
Why is COPD Underdiagnosed in General Practice?
COPD is often underdiagnosed in general practice, especially with those who are young and in the early stages of the disease. Find out more about the underdiagnosis of COPD.
COPD is often underdiagnosed in general practice, especially with those who are young and in the early stages of the disease. Find out more about the underdiagnosis of COPD.
The Role Obesity Plays in COPD
The role that obesity plays in COPD is of important significance. Find out more about what goes on in your lungs when you have COPD and are overweight or obese.
The role that obesity plays in COPD is of important significance. Find out more about what goes on in your lungs when you have COPD and are overweight or obese.
New Year's Resolutions for People With COPD
Many of you may be thinking about making that one New Year's resolution which will ultimately change your life. Learn how to better manage your COPD.
Many of you may be thinking about making that one New Year's resolution which will ultimately change your life. Learn how to better manage your COPD.
Is Asthma COPD?
Find out more about the definition of asthma and what goes on in your lungs when you are having an asthma attack.
Find out more about the definition of asthma and what goes on in your lungs when you are having an asthma attack.
There Is Hope: Treatment for COPD
From bronchodilators, steroids, pulmonary rehabilitation, oxygen therapy to flu shots and quitting smoking, treatment for COPD can improve quality of life and slow down the progress of this lung disease.
From bronchodilators, steroids, pulmonary rehabilitation, oxygen therapy to flu shots and quitting smoking, treatment for COPD can improve quality of life and slow down the progress of this lung disease.
List of Common COPD Medications
If you are a COPD patient, or a caregiver to someone who has COPD, learning all you can about common COPD medications is essential to COPD management. Learn more about common COPD medications that you will likely see prescribed to the COPD patient.
If you are a COPD patient, or a caregiver to someone who has COPD, learning all you can about common COPD medications is essential to COPD management. Learn more about common COPD medications that you will likely see prescribed to the COPD patient.
List of Common COPD Inhalers
COPD inhalers are commonplace in the treatment of COPD. But, understanding which-is-which and what-does-what, can sometimes be confusing. Learn more about the types of COPD inhalers and what they do for your lungs.
COPD inhalers are commonplace in the treatment of COPD. But, understanding which-is-which and what-does-what, can sometimes be confusing. Learn more about the types of COPD inhalers and what they do for your lungs.
COPD Inhalers and Medications
COPD, inhalers and medications, in many ways, go hand-in-hand. Learning everything you can about them is essential. Learn more with this comprehensive guide to COPD inhalers and medications.
COPD, inhalers and medications, in many ways, go hand-in-hand. Learning everything you can about them is essential. Learn more with this comprehensive guide to COPD inhalers and medications.
A Closer Look at Bronchodilators as Treatment for COPD
Bronchodilators are medications which relax the airways of the lungs making it easier to breathe. Find our more about the three classes of bronchodilators commonly used to treat COPD.
Bronchodilators are medications which relax the airways of the lungs making it easier to breathe. Find our more about the three classes of bronchodilators commonly used to treat COPD.
Overview of Glucocorticoids in Treatment of COPD
Find out more about the pros and cons of use of glucocorticoids in the treatment of COPD.
Find out more about the pros and cons of use of glucocorticoids in the treatment of COPD.
Facts About Oxygen Therapy
There are many benefits to oxygen therapy, especially if you have COPD or other chronic diseases. Learn the benefits of supplemental oxygen and why oxygen safety tips are important.
There are many benefits to oxygen therapy, especially if you have COPD or other chronic diseases. Learn the benefits of supplemental oxygen and why oxygen safety tips are important.
Improving Quality of Life with Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Pulmonary rehabilitation is becoming widely recognized as an essential part of a COPD treatment plan. Pulmonary rehabilitation uses a multidisciplinary approach that covers all aspects of COPD management, including education, exercise, relaxation, breathing techniques, nutritional advice, emotional support and the development of coping skills.
Pulmonary rehabilitation is becoming widely recognized as an essential part of a COPD treatment plan. Pulmonary rehabilitation uses a multidisciplinary approach that covers all aspects of COPD management, including education, exercise, relaxation, breathing techniques, nutritional advice, emotional support and the development of coping skills.
Surgical Intervention for COPD: Is it Right for You?
Bullectomy, lung volume reduction surgery, and lung transplantation have all proven to be important surgical interventions for COPD.
Bullectomy, lung volume reduction surgery, and lung transplantation have all proven to be important surgical interventions for COPD.
Heliox May Improve Activity Tolerance in COPD
Find out how Heliox can help improve your exercise and activity tolerance so you can become less short of breath and more independent.
Find out how Heliox can help improve your exercise and activity tolerance so you can become less short of breath and more independent.
How to Use a Metered-Dose Inhaler
Learning how to use a metered-dose inhaler can be challenging, especially if you don't know the technique. Follow this illustrative guide on how to use a metered-dose inhaler, or MDI.
Learning how to use a metered-dose inhaler can be challenging, especially if you don't know the technique. Follow this illustrative guide on how to use a metered-dose inhaler, or MDI.
How to Use a Nebulizer
Using a nebulizer is relatively simple, and is often included in a COPD treatment regimen. Follow these steps to use a nebulizer properly.
Using a nebulizer is relatively simple, and is often included in a COPD treatment regimen. Follow these steps to use a nebulizer properly.
How to Use a Bronchodilator Inhaler
If you have COPD or other lung diseases, learning how to use a bronchodilator inhaler is an important part of your disease management. These handy step-by-step instructions will ensure just that - proper use of your bronchodilator inhaler.
If you have COPD or other lung diseases, learning how to use a bronchodilator inhaler is an important part of your disease management. These handy step-by-step instructions will ensure just that - proper use of your bronchodilator inhaler.
How to Use an Incentive Spirometer
An incentive spirometer is a device that helps keep the alveoli of your lungs inflated. They are often times used in the hospital setting as part of daily therapy. Learn how to use an incentive spirometer.
An incentive spirometer is a device that helps keep the alveoli of your lungs inflated. They are often times used in the hospital setting as part of daily therapy. Learn how to use an incentive spirometer.
What Is a COPD Exacerbation?
Learn more about COPD exacerbation and what causes a COPD exacerbation. Discover signs and symptoms of COPD exacerbation, treatment for COPD exacerbation and how to prevent an exacerbation of COPD.
Learn more about COPD exacerbation and what causes a COPD exacerbation. Discover signs and symptoms of COPD exacerbation, treatment for COPD exacerbation and how to prevent an exacerbation of COPD.
How to Prevent COPD Exacerbation
A COPD exacerbation, put simply, is a worsening of COPD symptoms which can often lead to serious illness, hospitalization and even death. Learn how to prevent COPD exacerbation with this comprehensive guide.
A COPD exacerbation, put simply, is a worsening of COPD symptoms which can often lead to serious illness, hospitalization and even death. Learn how to prevent COPD exacerbation with this comprehensive guide.
Flu Shots Help Prevent COPD Exacerbations
Annual flu shots can help prevent COPD exacerbation. Learn more about the flu shot, who should get a flu shot, risk factors of flu shots and when you should get a flu shot for COPD exacerbation prevention.
Annual flu shots can help prevent COPD exacerbation. Learn more about the flu shot, who should get a flu shot, risk factors of flu shots and when you should get a flu shot for COPD exacerbation prevention.
How to Wash Your Hands to Prevent Infection and COPD Exacerbation
Using proper handwashing technique is one of the best ways to prevent infection and to lower the risk of COPD exacerbation.
Using proper handwashing technique is one of the best ways to prevent infection and to lower the risk of COPD exacerbation.
How Often Should I Wash My Hands?
Knowing when and how often to wash your hands is just as important as proper handwashing technique. Proper handwashing not only helps to prevent infection, but reduces your risk of COPD exacerbation.
Knowing when and how often to wash your hands is just as important as proper handwashing technique. Proper handwashing not only helps to prevent infection, but reduces your risk of COPD exacerbation.
COPD and the Pneumonia Vaccine: What You Need to Know
People with COPD are at greater risk for developing pneumococcal disease, especially pneumococcal pneumonia. Getting a pneumonia vaccine can help protect people with COPD from getting pneumococcal pneumonia.
People with COPD are at greater risk for developing pneumococcal disease, especially pneumococcal pneumonia. Getting a pneumonia vaccine can help protect people with COPD from getting pneumococcal pneumonia.
Lung Transplant Image Gallery
Lung transplant is a possible surgical option for those with end-stage emphysema who meet very specific criteria. Visit the lung transplant image gallery for detailed images of lung transplant surgery.
Lung transplant is a possible surgical option for those with end-stage emphysema who meet very specific criteria. Visit the lung transplant image gallery for detailed images of lung transplant surgery.
Image Gallery of COPD Complications
Welcome to the COPD complications image gallery, a photo guide to COPD complications.
Welcome to the COPD complications image gallery, a photo guide to COPD complications.
Chronic Bronchitis and Emphysema Photo Gallery
Discover what a healthy lung looks like on About.com's Smoking Cessation Guide Site. Visit this enlightening photo gallery to compare healthy lungs to that of the lungs of someone with chronic bronchitis or emphysema. What you see may shock you!
Discover what a healthy lung looks like on About.com's Smoking Cessation Guide Site. Visit this enlightening photo gallery to compare healthy lungs to that of the lungs of someone with chronic bronchitis or emphysema. What you see may shock you!