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Note: This column discusses depression, including thoughts of hopelessness and suicidal ideation. Resources for help are listed at the end of the column. This column also describes the author’s own experiences with various medications, including Lexapro (escitalopram) and trazodone. Not everyone will have the same response to treatment. Consult…

Trying something new doesn’t always yield good results, which is why those of us with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) need to vet any new device we may wish to try. I did my due diligence before trying out an exercise tool that has fascinated me for several years:…

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…

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…

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) makes it hard to breathe, and many of us with the disease know that breathing exercises can help. Still, a study published in October in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases: Journal of the COPD Foundation suggested that a combined inspiratory (inhalation) and expiratory (exhalation) muscle strength…

Many of us with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) experience chronic fatigue, but I still wondered why I’d been sleeping more than usual lately. As usual, I did some research and am letting you in on my findings. The first article I read was published by the Cleveland Clinic…

While chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is commonly associated with symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath, many of us also experience chronic pain. I was interested in learning more about the types of pain that may be associated with COPD and what can be done about…

For those of us with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), routines become an essential tool for coping with the changes that our disease brings. The focus is often on morning routines, but my evening routine has become increasingly important over time. My evening routine starts at 6 p.m., when…