If your doctor has recommended you have a spirometry test, you’re probably wondering why you need one and what kind of test it is. A spirometry test is among a group of breathing tests known as pulmonary function tests. This group of lung tests tell doctors how well your lungs are working. Spirometry measures how […]
View ArticlePhysicians and other medical experts agree that people with chronic (ongoing) lung diseases like COPD should remain as active as possible, despite their need for oxygen therapy.[1] Thanks to advances in medical technology that have made it possible to create oxygen delivery sources with mobility and portability in mind, it’s never been easier to stay connected […]
View ArticleExplore the great outdoors – experience nature – spend quality time with friends and family – these things and more are what you can expect when visiting one of America’s 59 national parks. From archeology, history and wildlife, to swimming, hiking and fishing, national parks provide a convenient, affordable vacation option your whole family can […]
View ArticleIdiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is an incurable lung disease in which fibrosis, or scarring, occurs in the lungs making them thick and stiff. As lung tissue thickens, the lungs have difficulty moving oxygen into your bloodstream, resulting in a decreased amount of oxygen to your brain and other organs. Sometimes doctors can determine what’s causing […]
View ArticleUnfortunately, the answer is yes. Although not all people with COPD will develop hypercapnia, COPD is one of the major causes of hypercapnia. Hypercapnia, also known as hypercarbia or CO2 retention, is a condition that occurs when there are elevated levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the blood. CO2 is a by-product of metabolism and is usually removed […]
View ArticleRespiratory acidosis is a serious medical condition in which abnormally slow breathing (hypoventilation) increases the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the blood, causing the pH (acid-base balance) of the blood, and other bodily fluids, to become too acidic. How the Body Tries to Restore Balance An important property of any solution, including blood, is […]
View ArticleThe term interstitial lung disease (ILD) refers to a broad range of progressive lung disorders characterized by inflammation and scarring of the lungs. Interstitial lung diseases affect the interstitium, the lace-like network of tissue between and supporting the microscopic alveoli (air sacs). The interstitium is filled with tiny blood vessels that allow for gas exchange […]
View ArticleCardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) helps save lives, yet each year, almost 90% of people who experience out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (sudden cessation of heart function) die.[1] When a cardiac arrest occurs at home, your loved one’s survival depends upon you knowing how to accurately perform CPR. If performed within the first few minutes of cardiac arrest, CPR […]
View ArticleThanks to advances in medical technology, travel opportunities for people needing supplemental oxygen have increased exponentially. Not only can oxygen-dependent passengers carry their own portable oxygen concentrators that meet FAA requirements on board all flights[1], but most major cruise lines are happy to accommodate passengers with disabilities who are cruising with oxygen. Although cruise ships […]
View ArticleThe oxygen level in your blood can be precisely measured using a blood test known as an arterial blood gas (ABG) study. Although this test is the most accurate of testing methods, it is invasive, meaning it uses a needle to draw blood out of an artery, usually from your wrist and is therefore less […]
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