Pulmonary function tests – sometimes referred to as PFTs, lung function or breathing tests – are a battery of tests that evaluate how well your lungs work. Together with patient history and other diagnostic tests, they help doctors assess respiratory symptoms, such as shortness of breath and cough, identify risks before surgery and diagnose common […]
View ArticleIf 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 ArticleA cystic fibrosis (CF) diet should contain optimal amounts of calories, vitamins and minerals to keep the body as healthy as possible. Cystic fibrosis is characterized by thick, sticky mucus that builds-up in the lungs, pancreas, and other organs. The mucus clogs the tubes that carry air to and from the lungs leading to frequent […]
View ArticleTransient nocturnal desaturation, also known as nocturnal hypoxemia, is defined as a temporary drop in oxygen saturation during sleep. The condition is a significant problem in COPD, affecting a relatively large number of COPD patients. In fact, one study suggests that 27-70% of COPD patients with daytime oxygen saturation levels of 90-95% experience substantial desaturation […]
View ArticleOxygen therapy is a lifesaver for people with COPD and other chronic (ongoing) illnesses, its benefits known to increase survival, relieve symptoms, increase exercise tolerance, improve health-related quality of life and more.[1] But what happens when you get too much oxygen? And under what circumstances could this occur? Let’s explore this further. History of “Pure […]
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 […]
View ArticleChest tube thoracostomy, commonly referred to as “putting in a chest tube”, is the insertion of a hollow plastic tube into the pleural cavity (space around the lungs) to drain air, blood, pus or other fluids. Whether the excess air or fluid is the result of a traumatic injury, cancer, pneumonia or another condition, insertion […]
View ArticleIf you want to see the exact spot where earth kisses the sky, it’s in a little wooded grove just north of the red golden gate. This primal forest has been a federally protected National Monument since 1908, but it’s genesis began long before. It’s truly a majestic ecosystem of gigantic proportions! Wooded crowns reach […]
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 ArticleYes. 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 from the body in sufficient amounts through the lungs when you exhale. Although it can be caused by a […]
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