Life Tethered to a Concentrator
— Caroline Gainer

Some days I despair over having to rest so often during my kitchen cleanup, but then I realize that I should be grateful. Even with Graves’ disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a hiatal hernia, high blood pressure, and sinus irregularities, I am still able to clean my kitchen,…

“Gloom, despair, and agony on me …” The Moonshiner quartet sang it best on the country show “Hee Haw,” their voices twanging through the television like a knowing wink from the universe. I used to laugh at that line until chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) made it…

Inflammation is having a moment. It’s the buzzword behind turmeric lattes, elimination diets, and supplement stacks. But for those of us living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), inflammation isn’t a trend. It’s the smoldering undercurrent in our lungs; the flare that shapes our breath, our energy, and our…

Each day that I continue to take my antidepressant, I see more and more of the world I used to enjoy before chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) caused the walls to cave in on me. Though I fought to stay positive, it seemed that the doors and windows had…

I’ve recently been reflecting on how Maslow’s hierarchy of needs intersects with chronic illness, moderate means, and the dignity of helping others. I’m doing so through the lens of my chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and the relationship that I’ve built with the young man who helps me with…

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can rob us of certain physical abilities, possibly preventing us from doing some of our favorite activities. But for many of us, the disease’s mental effects are even worse. Prior to my diagnosis, I was up for trying anything, but along with COPD came…

Those of us living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have learned to pay close attention to subtle changes in our bodies to avoid or quickly address respiratory infections, which can lead to exacerbations. An exacerbation is a worsening of COPD symptoms that can result in serious complications, such…

Note: This column describes the author’s own experiences with guaifenesin. Not everyone will have the same response to treatment. Consult your doctor before starting or stopping a therapy. We always hear that we should “hydrate, hydrate, hydrate,” but I want to talk about why it’s especially crucial for those…

Those of us with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are encouraged to eat an anti-inflammatory diet. I like to think that I harvest my health from a raised bed. I sit on the timbers of my garden bed with my legs tucked to the side and begin to…

Arthritis often occurs with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). For me, each moment of pain in my hips is another ding to my oxygen saturation, or at least that’s how it seems. I’ve been in a one-step-forward, two-steps-backward grind since a bout of pneumonia last year. Living with osteoarthritis…

Shortly after I begin to stir in the morning, I stir some nutrients into my morning coffee. I have shared my “magic coffee” recipe with many of my friends with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and I thought I’d share the benefits of the brew with you, too. Magic…

I recently read an article on my newsfeed that said Arnold Schwarzenegger, bodybuilder, actor, and onetime California governor, had a four-word mantra: “Stay busy. Be useful.” I thought this was a wonderful guide for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). As I pursue the idea of…