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Confronting Reality

Kevin Hyatt learned of his COPD diagnosis in 2007 right before his son’s wedding. Read more…

no-smoking-sign-300x200

The Great American Smokeout

Today the American Cancer Society is spearheading “The Great American Smokeout,” Read more…

From cpapsuppliesplus.net

What is a BiPAP and How Can it Help Me?

Dear COPD Doc,

I have a COPD friend who was recently prescribed BiPAP therapy. Read more…

A pulse oximeter

The Deal with Pulse Oximeters

Dear COPD Coach,

Some friends of mine have told me that it is a good idea for a COPD Read more…

How a Pulse Oximeter Works

February 22nd, 2012 | Author: COPD Coach

Dear COPD Coach,

My husband has been diagnosed with COPD but has not yet had pulmonary function tests to determine the type/severity. We purchased a pulse oximeter to monitor his 02 levels (he was sent home from the hospital on 4 liters but is now reduced to 2). My question is, do you take the first reading that comes up when the pulse oximeter is put on or do you wait 15 seconds and use that reading? Also, I would like to say this is one of the most informative websites I have found on COPD and I certainly appreciate the support it provides.

–Curious about Pulmonary Function Testing

Dear Curious,

A pulse oximeter can be a very useful tool for a COPD patient, providing you use it correctly and realize it has limitations.

The pulse oximeter measures two distinct things: The first number that comes up is most often the pulse rate. Usually this number is marked by a small heart. The second number that comes up is the level of oxygen in the blood. Both numbers are needed to assess your present levels.

At this point, it is important to discuss the limitations of the device. The pulse oximeter only gives you a limited amount of information, and is in reality just a snapshot of your functioning at that particular time. For example, it does not tell you the concentration of CO2 (Carbon Dioxide, the waste product of your breathing and something that is not healthy in high levels) in your blood stream. This means that you could be retaining a large amount of CO2, which could be limiting the amount of usable oxygen in your blood.

From Boston.com

In other words, the pulse oximeter is not a substitute for more extensive tests that give you and your doctor a better idea of your exact pulmonary function.

The second limitation is that all pulse oximeters “are not equal.” Less expensive units often do not have the accuracy of other more expensive units. It is never a bad idea to take your unit with you to your doctor’s appointment and compare the readings with his unit. I was at a trade show one time and a company there was selling very inexpensive pulse oximeters. I tried 6 different units and never once was able to get a reading!

In order to get an accurate oxygen saturation reading, the device must sense every beat of a fairly strong pulse – if your pulse is irregular, weak or not being sensed for some reason, the pulse oximeter may show an oxygen reading, but it is not necessarily accurate. It is also important to keep in mind that many things can affect the reading, such as nail polish, cold or heat, or even which finger you are using it on. If your hands are cold, warm them before taking a reading. If you get a suspicious reading, take it again, or maybe use another finger.

Now for the question of understanding the readings. Ideally, a reading should show a relatively normal heart rate (between 60-100 beats per minute) and an oxygen reading in the middle to high nineties. If the heart rate is higher than usual, but the oxygen number is normal, it means that the heart is working harder to keep your saturations high which could indicate a problem if it remains that way on subsequent readings. If the heart rate is high and the oxygen reading is low, it could also indicate a problem. The important thing is to not panic! Wait a few minutes, and take another reading. If the abnormal readings continue, and you are feeling out of breath, contact your doctor.

To get more information on pulse oximeters, check out our Big Fat Reference Guide, which has a lot of good information that can really help you! Also, please call our COPD Information Line at 866-316-COPD (2673). A trained patient or caregiver associate can answer any questions you might have!

Thanks for writing, and be sure to stay in touch!
The COPD Coach

Ask the Expert is aimed at providing information for individuals with COPD to take to your doctor, and is not in any way intended to be medical advice.

If you would like to submit a question to the Coaches Corner email us atcoachescorner@copdfoundation.org. We would love to hear your questions and comments. You can address your emails to any of the following: COPD Coach, Caregiver Coach, COPD Doctor or COPD RT.

Category: Ask the Expert | 3 Comments » | » Share

No Smoking at the Speedway

February 21st, 2012 | Author: Fabiana Talbot

There was a time when cigarette smoking and the sport of car racing went hand-in-hand.  The ties between NASCAR and the tobacco industry run deep; some of the first races were in the heart of tobacco country, and millions of industry marketing dollars were pumped into the emerging sport in its early days.

(taken from news-journalonline.com)

Entire events were sponsored by tobacco giants for decades, and it was not uncommon to have cigarette samples distributed freely during races.

That all changes today, however, because NASCAR has announced that the Daytona Speedway will ban cigarette smoking in the stands.

Starting in July, smokers will be asked to take breaks in designated smoking areas, a change that has been generally well-received by fans.

“It is the year 2012,” said Joie Chitwood III, Daytona Speedway’s president, “I am not aware of any other sporting venue in Florida that allows smoking in their seats.”

In the past couple of years, the marketing of tobacco products at NASCAR events has been largely replaced by smoking cessation products such as Nicorette and electronic cigarettes.

DRIVE4COPD, the largest national awareness campaign aimed at identifying individuals at-risk for COPD, has screened over 2 million people at these races.  Moreover, NASCAR recently recognized COPD awareness as the main health initiative of the sport. Danica Patrick, a NASCAR newcomer whose grandmother passed away due to COPD, has been a trailblazer in spreading awareness, education and encourage millions to get screened for COPD.

Clearly there has been a shift in awareness in terms of race car driving and tobacco.  We hope that the close relationship between racing and smoking remains a thing of the past.

Tags: , , , | Category: Community, General, News | 1 Comment » | » Share

Two Peas in a Pod

February 17th, 2012 | Author: Janina Kowalski

A Mother’s struggle with COPD teaches her daughter perseverance

While training to run her first half marathon, Erika McLaughlin finds her motivation and inspiration from her mother, Carole McLaughlin.

“There are so many memories that I hold close to my heart when I think of her. One that sticks out is Nags Head, North Carolina; her sitting in a chair next to my dad, toes in the sand, reading a book, watching her children play, and enjoying the beautiful warm sun,” Erika says.

She describes her mother, who passed away in 2010 due to COPD, as the glue that held the family together.

“We were two peas in a pod. My father died when I was 11, and my older siblings were already out of the house. For years it was her and I alone. From a young age I could tell her anything and she would be there for me. She supported my endeavors, my choices, my activities,” Erika says. “I called her every day when I was away in college. Not only did I rely on her advice, but she was such an important part of my life, I wanted her to be a part of my everyday life in college. She did not have an easy life—she suffered many tragedies in her life, but she was a fighter, a survivor. She instilled these traits in me and my two siblings.”

From left to right: Carole, Erika and sister Kim Durbin

Erika remembers Carole’s struggle with COPD. Working hard to raise their family, Carole struggled with breathing issues for years. She had asthma, smoked, and would get bronchitis or pneumonia every few years. In November 2008, Carole was rushed to the hospital and diagnosed with COPD.

“Her diagnosis was difficult on her, but due to her survivor mentality, she took it as a challenge,” Erika says.

Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR) was a source of strength for Carole—she went there several times a week and developed a close relationship with group members. After a few months of PR, Carole returned to work full time.

Erika says that Carole had bad breathing days and couldn’t do much.

“She walked slower and had to take breaks. She struggled to pick up her grandchildren that she adored,” she says. “The Prednisone she took affected her personality, weight, and mood, and that was very difficult for her.”

The COPD diagnosis affected Erika as well.

“After her hospital stay in 2008, I was worried all the time that something would happen to her, but she worked so hard at her rehab and took her disease very seriously. In some ways, it had a positive effect on her because she started taking better care of herself and putting herself first,” she says. “The hardest part for me was watching her not be able to do the things she once loved to do, and struggling to walk a few steps without getting out of breath. Because she was so tough, and such a fighter, I believed that she would live much longer than she did. She was admitted into the hospital on October 23, 2010 with pneumonia, and died 2 days later of septic shock. Her death devastated my family.

“Although smoking is related to this disease, no one deserves this. Her struggle to quit smoking was so hard on her, and it took her hospitalization in 2008 to finally kick the habit. This disease is devastating; it took years away from my mother, and she will never see her grandchildren grow up,” Erika says.

The devastating impact of COPD and the strength many have fighting it inspired Erika to run in the 45th Annual Athens Marathon on April 1, 2012.

Erika acknowledges that training for a marathon is a big commitment, both physically and mentally, and credits her mom as her inspiration to persevere when training becomes really challenging.

Not only is Erika running the marathon for her mother, but for all the other individuals living with COPD. Erika has set up her own fundraising webpage to get others involved with her marathon and raise funds for the COPD community.

Inspired to follow Erika’s example? Please visit the COPD’s first giving page at: www.firstgiving.com/COPD_Foundation.

Here you can create your own fundraising project or remembrance page!

Tags: , , , | Category: Faces of COPD | 2 Comments » | » Share

How to Conserve Your Energy with COPD

February 15th, 2012 | Author: COPD Coach

Dear Coach,

My question concerns conserving energy.  Are there books that you can recommend about how to cope with it?  I’m only 56 years old and I really enjoy a shower and shampoo, yet the exhaustion of that activity wears me out so bad it takes me 1-2 hours often to get my energy back.  It’s hard to enjoy something when it results in such debilitating fatigue.

Thanks so much for your help in this matter and the assistance you provide so many in need.

–Need to Regain My Energy

Dear Need to Regain,

The only way I know how to handle energy conservation—in addition to maintaining strength in the muscles of your arms, legs and hands—is to do things smarter.

For example, you could invest in a shower or bath chair and take your showers while seated. Use warm water as opposed to hot. Use water to get yourself wet, turn it off to lather up, and turn it on again to rinse. Have a terrycloth robe close by to dry off as opposed to using a towel. Also, many find that a hand held shower is easier to use. And if you require supplemental oxygen, wear it in the shower. Don’t worry about getting water up your nose.

From vitalitymedical.com

Another trick that works for me is that I plan each activity before I do it. For instance, if it’s something as simple as going downstairs, I think about it before doing it to make sure that during that activity I get everything I will need in one trip. A tip about climbing stairs that really works: Always do your pursed-lips breathing and climb up only as you breathe out. In addition to planning ahead, make sure you allow enough time to get where you need to go and do what you need to get done—without rushing. Being in a hurry is a big breath buster!

I also encourage you to ask your doctor about getting a referral to an Occupational Therapist who can talk with you about your biggest challenges and work with you one-on-one to teach you ways of doing everyday tasks with less shortness of breath.

We have some tips in earlier Ask the Coach letters that offer some great advice about cooking and eating with COPD. You might want to check them out! We also have some ideas on our Big Fat Reference Guide.

I don’t know how much help our answers will be to you, but we sincerely hope they will offer your some assistance or at least maybe a starting point. We will soon start a feature called COPD Tips, which will document ways to conserve energy when doing simple tasks.

Good luck, and keep us informed.

The COPD Coach

Ask the Expert is aimed at providing information for individuals with COPD to take to your doctor, and is not in any way intended to be medical advice.

If you would like to submit a question to the Coaches Corner email us atcoachescorner@copdfoundation.org. We would love to hear your questions and comments. You can address your emails to any of the following: COPD Coach, Caregiver Coach, COPD Doctor or COPD RT.

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