Supplemental oxygen therapy is an amazing, enabling, and life-saving tool that many people with COPD use every day. However, while it can significantly improve how you feel and help you live a better quality of life, supplemental oxygen often comes with its own uncomfortable side-effects and inconveniences.

For example, most patients at some point have problems with ear pain from the ear loops of their nasal cannula. Many patients also struggle to manage their oxygen therapy when they're out of the house, struggling to tote around their equipment and worrying about running out of oxygen before they get home.

Some other common problems that oxygen patients have include dryness and inflammation, which often happens when the constant stream of air through your oxygen delivery device dries out your throat and nasal passages. Another uncomfortable side-effect is skin irritation, which is common on areas of the the face where equipment and tubing touches the skin.

COPD is a complex disease to manage, and most patients use a mixture of several different medications and techniques to keep their symptoms under control. Along with standard treatments, like prescription bronchodilators, exercise regimens, and breathing techniques, there are other, less well-known therapies that patients can add to their treatment regimen to better manage their disease.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has often been linked to smoking cigarettes as well as long-term contact with second-hand smoke, chemicals, air pollution, and dust fumes. However, recent research from Weill Cornell Medical College suggests that along with polluted air and cigarette smoking, a genetic predisposition linked to excess iron in the lungs may exacerbate some people's susceptibility to COPD.

There are many different types of lung and respiratory conditions that can cause problems as you get older, especially if you smoke. One of the most common respiratory diseases is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), which is an umbrella condition that includes two serious diseases: chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

There are many different conditions that can cause lung problems and emphysema, including a variety of heritable diseases. One of these is Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (also known as AAT deficiency or Alpha-1), a rare, incurable genetic disorder that most people have never heard of.

Alpha-1 is the result of a protein deficiency that can cause mild or severe damage to the lungs and liver. Many people with AAT deficiency experience asthma-like symptoms including breathlessness, wheezing, and coughing that can occur in childhood or later in life.

Pulmonary hypertension is a serious, chronic disease that affects the heart and the blood vessels in the lungs. Although it is somewhat rare, the disease can result from a large number of health conditions, genetics, or even occur spontaneously. 

Unfortunately, most cases of pulmonary hypertension are chronic and incurable. But especially with early diagnosis and proper medical treatment, people with the disease are able to manage the symptoms of pulmonary hypertension and maintain a good quality of life.

Managing a lifelong, chronic disease like COPD can take a lot of time, energy, and motivation. Even if you have a straightforward treatment plan, adhering to that plan perfectly and consistently every day can be a challenge and a drain on your mental resources.

Many people with COPD have difficulty fitting medication and lifestyle changes into their daily life. As a result, many patients find themselves missing medications, skimping on physical activity, or giving up on their healthy diet and nutrition plan.

Many people with respiratory diseases COPD and Cystic Fibrosis have to deal with extra phlegm and congestion in their lungs and airways. It's an unfortunate symptom that can be difficult to manage, especially during periods of illness and exacerbations.

Allergy season is a nuisance for anyone who suffers from allergies, but it can be a serious struggle for people who also suffer from COPD. Common allergens like pollen, dust, and mold can not only cause uncomfortable allergic reactions, but they can also irritate your lungs and airways and make it more difficult to breathe.

At least one in five people in the US suffer from allergies, and that includes many people who also have COPD. Unfortunately, there hasn't been a lot of research on how the two conditions interact, and there are few official treatment guidelines to help COPD patients manage their allergies.

There's always so much to look forward to during the summer months: warm weather, lush trees, and all kinds of outdoor activities. It's a beautiful season, and for many of us it provides a much-needed rest from the cold, harsh winter weather.