Life Tethered to a Concentrator — Caroline Gainer

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…

As I watch the snowflakes fly and see the trees sway in the 17 mph winds, I’m reminded that those of us with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) face some interesting challenges during the winter season. I personally don’t feel the effects of the cold on my breathing until…

Those of us with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) experience many physical changes. Some of these changes are inconsequential while others are significant. One of the more curious and seemingly inconsequential changes is in the frequency of my yawns. Although I can still yawn, I don’t feel the urge…

For those of us with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), it’s imperative to have a good working relationship with our healthcare team. That became crystal clear to me when I was dealing with what appeared to be a healthcare crisis. My pulmonologist and his office staff kept me calm…

I watch a leaf falling from the tree on a day when the wind is quiet, with just a tiny breeze now and then, and it reminds me of my journey with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). When the leaf is still on the tree, it represents our healthy…

Those of us with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) often have to juggle several other conditions. For me, that includes vertigo, which is usually caused by a sinus infection. Last week, I was having chills and a slight fever, but the fever wasn’t too bad, and I didn’t feel awful,…

Though I attempted to follow my treatment plan and watched for signs of an impending exacerbation, one crept up on me this summer and caused a worsening of my dyspnea, or the shortness of breath that happens to those of us with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It’s changed my…