Columns

Are telehealth visits the new doctor home visits?

Growing up in rural central West Virginia, I can remember the doctor coming to the house with his black bag full of medicine and instruments. Now I have two providers that I consult with over Zoom, and I wonder if this is the new “home visit.” For those of us…

Is it getting harder to coordinate our care?

Maybe it’s just me, but it seems that coordinating my healthcare is getting harder. It’s important for those of us with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to coordinate medications and other treatments so that we get optimum results. When I was diagnosed with COPD, all but one of…

Understanding and addressing what causes our fatigue

Now that I have treatment for my depression and inability to sleep, I look a little differently than I used to at the occasions when I feel fatigued. I think it’s important for those of us with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to understand what type of fatigue we…

How Fitbit helped me find my sweet spot for sleep

Note: This column describes the author’s own experiences with the sleep aid and antidepressant trazodone. Not everyone will have the same response to treatment. Consult your doctor before starting or stopping a therapy. I’ve struggled for two years to find my optimal times to go to sleep and wake…

Sometimes you don’t appreciate what you have until it’s gone

When I was suffering from depression, I couldn’t do my housework the way that I wanted. Now that I’m better, I’m enjoying doing things like pulling weeds and other chores. These activities are also a good way to remain active with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). I didn’t appreciate…

Did my premature birth influence my development of COPD?

I was born a preemie weighing in at 4 pounds, and during my first six years of life, I was plagued with numerous ear infections. I now have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). I wondered if my premature birth and the health challenges of my first six years influenced…

My smile hid symptoms of depression associated with COPD

In observing Mental Health Awareness Month in May, I’d like to offer some insights into some symptoms we may overlook. Depression and anxiety, for example, are common for those of us with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) — as I learned through personal experience. In my case, I had…