Part of living with COPD is having to be extra careful about protecting your body, and especially your lungs, from harm. That means doing everything you can to avoid illnesses, exacerbations, and any environmental conditions that could weaken your lungs or make your symptoms worse.

Unfortunately, with every new season COPD patients have to adjust to new hazards and challenges that come with the change in weather. And with the summer on its way, it's important to know what to expect and how you can prepare yourself for the shift.

The stress and hassle of traveling can be a challenge for anyone, but it poses a special challenge for those struggling with chronic diseases like COPD.

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 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.

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.

Being diagnosed with COPD can be a very frightening and disheartening experience. It's common to feel fear and apprehension about living with the diagnosis and maybe even guilt about what you did or didn't do that might have caused your COPD.

Pulse flow portable oxygen concentrators are different from continuous-flow concentrators in that they detect when you inhale and deliver a bolus dose of oxygen on-demand. Concentrators with pulse-flow technology are intuitive and responsive by automatically adjusting the amount of oxygen they deliver based on your breathing rate.