March is a difficult month for me. I can relate to Bill Withers’ song “Ain’t No Sunshine.” The bleak winter months in southern West Virginia get me a little (or a lot) down. Those of us with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) struggle daily to “Keep on the Sunny…
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A friend asked me if there is still time to get this season’s flu shot. That got me thinking about the issues that come with the shift from winter to spring and summer for those of us with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). First, about that question on the…
The moment I reached the top of the stairs with an oxygen saturation of 92%, I was filled with elation and relief. Although this saturation level would be considered below normal for most people, I was excited. As I stood there, not needing to catch my breath, a wave…
I remember how hard it was to keep cars, or any other outdoor metal object, clean and looking good when I lived in the steel town of Weirton, West Virginia. That ongoing struggle reminds me of my ongoing battle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In the late…
COPD is a chronic inflammatory disease of the lungs, in which the airways become blocked, causing cough with mucus, wheezing, and shortness of breath.
The causes of COPD are not fully understood. However, long-term exposure to lung irritants is known to damage the lungs and the airways.
Some people may also experience exacerbations, or episodes of sudden disease worsening, that may persist for several days.
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