Life is filled with unpredictability. Whether it’s a change to our daily routine or a life-changing event like a COPD diagnosis, staying on our toes is often the best way to maintain stability in our lives. Unfortunately, it’s not always easy to deal with these changes. Sometimes, it can feel like you’re trying to play keep up rather than dealing with problems quickly and effectively as soon as they arise.

You might be surprised to learn that the food you eat influences more than your digestive system, and your diet actually has a big impact on other systems in your body. The food you eat can fuel your muscles, strengthen your bones, clear your mind, and even help you breathe better, if you are eating the right foods.

If you have COPD or another disease that is causing low blood oxygen levels supplemental oxygen therapy can be a life saver, quite literally. If done correctly you can add years to your life simply by adhering to your oxygen prescription. Beyond taking your oxygen as prescribed, you can start to eat healthier, stop smoking, and start exercising all of which are habits that will contribute to a healthy and long life with a respiratory illness.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an umbrella term that represents two separate diseases: chronic bronchitis and emphysema. The former affects around 8.9 million Americans and the latter affects around 3 million Americans. One of the characteristics of both of these diseases, however, is that they both develop over the course of many years leading to permanent and irreversible damage to the lungs and airways.

November is COPD awareness month, a time to come together and educate people of all backgrounds about the global impact of chronic bronchitis and emphysema. COPD awareness month is marked by an orange ribbon and can be observed in a number of different ways. Despite being the third leading cause of death in the United States, COPD suffers from a severe lack of awareness. According to a Health Union survey, only about 38 percent of patients were aware what COPD was or what its risk factors were before being diagnosed.

From the novel coronavirus to devastating wildfires, 2020 has been a challenging year for us all. But for people with chronic respiratory illnesses like COPD or asthma, this year has been the ultimate test. The good news is that, by following all COVID-19 safety precautions stated by the World Health Organization (WHO) and by checking the air quality index (AQI) before leaving the house, many COPD patients have adjusted nicely to a new way of life.

If you have been diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) for a long time, it is likely you have experienced an exacerbation or flare up. A COPD exacerbation means your respiratory symptoms (breathlessness, coughing, and wheezing) were suddenly escalated to a degree where you might have been obligated to seek emergency medical attention.

Keeping up with healthy habits is not an easy task; for many, it's a lifelong process—and sometimes a lifelong struggle—to stay on track. If you have a chronic health condition like COPD, it can feel downright overwhelming to shoulder the pressure of having to live a healthy lifestyle while also managing your disease.