A recent study by British scientists have shown encouraging evidence that retinoic acid can slow the progression of emphysema and in some cases, even reverse damage caused by the disease. This acid is found in Vitamin A. Results from tests on mice have been very positive and the scientists how to begin human trials in the near future. This study is being conducted by doctors at King’s College in London where they have made great strides in revolutionizing treatment for COPD and other respiratory ailments.

This post was updated: 10/06/2016

Pulmonary Fibrosis has been diagnosed in around 140,000 Americans, and typically affects people in the age range of 50 to 75 according to the American Lung Association. Like most respiratory diseases, the affects of pulmonary fibrosis may develop more slowly or quickly in different people.

This post was updated on 05/24/16 to add more information.

Well, it’s that time of year again. We are coming up on the summer months which means sunshine, picnics, barbecues, vacations, and more are in your near future! Whether you have a summer packed full of plans or you are just looking forward to the nice weather and spending time with friends and family, it’s easy to see why summer is a lot of people’s favorite time of year.

Here’s the deal:

Successfully treating and managing your COPD is like playing a game of chess. You aim to stay 3 steps ahead of the disease at all times, but there’s always a chance that your opponent, COPD, has a trick move up its sleeve.

Because there is no cure for the disease, the goal of treating COPD is to manage your symptoms and to maintain or improve your quality of life.

Daylight savings time has passed which means the days are getting shorter and the weather is getting colder. For some, the cold weather and shorter days are a refreshing change. However, if you suffer from COPD, chances are you dread winter.

Cold weather has the ability to negatively affect your COPD in a number of different ways. From causing you to experience shortness of breath to putting you at a higher risk of getting sick, there are several risk factors you have to account for. Not to mention, winter is the peak of cold and flu season.

Back in December we met Larry Peel.  Larry was diagnosed with COPD about 11 years ago and has been on supplemental oxygen for the past 7 years.  We got in touch with Larry because one of our owners saw a news report about him.  He had received an oxygen concentrator from his insurance company, Kaiser but now they were wanting the unit back because they said that he had received it in error.  Larry explained that he needed the portable during his long shifts as a 911 operator but the insurance company still called his lifeline to oxygen, "non-essential".  Peel sometimes resorted to going without oxygen and trying to remain as still and calm as possible to avoid getting winded and triggering a coughing spell.  As you can imagine, in the life of a 911 dispatcher this was not always possible.  It's estimated that patients who do not use their required oxygen increase their chances of heart failure or stroke by up to 50%.  With Larry's dosage he would need up to 5 or 6 heavy tanks to last him through a 10 or 12 hour shift.  He feared that he would have to quit work, leaving this single dad unable to support himself and his son.

Your breath is your lifeline and when it becomes difficult to breath, your life comes to a halt. Hearing the diagnosis of COPD may sound like a sentence to a life of inactivity, a life that no longer includes enjoyed activities of your past. This is true to a certain extent, but not totally true. Over time, certain exercises have proven to help those who have COPD. If you practice these exercises and learn to incorporate them into your life, there is a chance you will be able to continue some of those activities you enjoy, though on a lower level of intensity.

Having a loved one be diagnosed with COPD or another life threatening lung disease takes an emotional toll on you both, but it is extremely important that as a caregiver you are educated on resources and information on how to support and promote an active and healthy lifestyle for your loved one. It's the little things that matter, which is why a few adjustments applied to your loved one's daily routines and habits will have numerous amounts of beneficial factors.

Living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), you should already know how imperative it is for your treatment that you maintain and attend all regularly scheduled doctor's appointments. Not only is it important to attend appointments but also that you openly communicate with your doctor about everything your feeling, as well as questions or concerns you may have about your COPD or treatment. To better understand your health and to know where to start in treatment, your doctor will ask about your families medical history, run some blood tests, and ask about any other previous medical conditions you may have. These baseline tests will help your doctor better manage your COPD, and help them better asses your progress as you regularly visit your doctor.