COPD-Support

This is a must see site for anyone who wants to stay updated on what's happening in the field of respiratory care. This site includes ongoing political issues, respiratory care, from the caregiver level to the research stage. It also includes a link to all state respiratory organizations and ongoing projects within each state. It includes testing sites to determine your weak areas that you need to work on to manage your own care.

Learn more about COPD and how to live with it.

This site is a great source of information; especially valuable are details involving definitions, symptoms, and medications. There is a section on breathing exercises and physical reconditioning as well as excellent guidelines for staying healthy.

From U.S. National Library of Medicine
This is arguably the finest research web site for medical information on the internet.

From the National Jewish Medical and Research Center in Denver - a highly regarded source of information on pulmonary diseases.
Be sure and check out their articles on Energy Management, and COPD and Anxiety.

Be sure and also check out BreathWorks downloads fact sheets and brochures about COPD.

There are several good sites (WebMD among them) that get their information from HealthWise (information which you cannot access directly from HealthWise) - this is one of them, plus they have a great media gallery and no commercials.

There is a lot of information on this site, with an emphasis on several in-depth and on-line articles. Interested in an extensive discussion concerning the history of Oxygen therapy? Similarly there is a full article concerning arterial blood gases.

Section has good content on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (Alpha-1) is a genetic condition that is passed on by parents to their children through their genes and can cause serious liver disease in children and liver and/or lung disease in adults. With several thousand active members the Alpha1 National Association is the most influential Alpha1 organization in the world and provides many functions for those affected with this "brand" of lung disease.

The Foundation is dedicated to providing the leadership and resources that will result in increased research, improved health, worldwide detection and a cure for Alpha-1.

The physician's side of the American Lung Association with helpful patient information.

Headed by Dr.Thomas Petty (considered by many as the father of oxygen therapy) and his research associate, Louise Nett, RN, RCP, FAARC, who have been active for many years in the care of patients with COPD. They are now focusing on the early detection of COPD. It was started at the request of the National Institute for Health--Lung Division to spread the message that finding the disease early makes for better treatment. In addition to information concerning the activities of the NLHEP, this web site also provides some very good basic information on COPD. Dr. Petty and Louise Nett co-authored a book, Enjoying Life With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease which is still a very useful one-book reference on our affliction.

Healthline provides a very comprehensive overview of COPD as a critical starting point for individuals and/or their loved ones.

Educational Resources - Fact sheets and illustrations written in non-scientific language, to help you learn more about respiratory diseases and better lung health.

From the American College of Chest Physicians and the Chest Foundation a printable Patient Workbook - extremely thorough.

Includes descriptions of Controlled Coughing, Chest physiotherapy (CPT), Postural Drainage, Expectorants, and Mucolytics.

Click on the link above for information on a particular drug.
(the same information that comes packaged with your drug, only a lot easier to read)
Use the link below to search for references to particular drugs in articles.

RxList lists the top 200 meds in alphabetical order, their usage, normal doses, interactions, generic and alternate brand names, prices and ordering information.
It also has a Drug Interaction Checker which allows you to check a combination of as many drugs as your wish. In addition, it has a link to a doctor and pharmacist online.

Search RxList for ARTICLES relating to input drug

   

Besides showing you the least expensive places to fill your prescriptions, they have good information on the drugs, and pictures of the form you might get the prescription filled in.

Enter two or more drugs; the results will tell you whether the two drugs can have harmful interactions. It will also tell you whether they have duplicate ingredients.
You can enter one drug and check for any known drug, food, alcohol, or tobacco interactions.
This tool also contains information on herbs.

Not only a drug search, but other helpful tools; Drug interaction checker, Pill identifier, and side-by-side drug comparison.

A good list of types and the actual drugs that might be prescribed for you.

More detailed information of types of medications and why each type might be prescribed.

The Way To Save On Your Prescription Drugs: Speak Up - from Consumer Reports.

A counter that is mounted on a Metered Dose Inhaler (MDI) to keep track of inhaler use. Electronically displays doses per day and doses per month for monitoring prescribed usage, and provides a way to know when an inhaler is empty.

The Breather was invented by a pulmonary rehabilitation therapist as a device to help people do pursed lip breathing properly and to strengthen both inhaling and exhaling. The Breather has FDA approval for its intended use but no prescription is required.

Pulse Oximetry Monitoring in Patients With COPD - Pulse oximetry is a non-invasive method of determining the oxygen level (SaO2) in the blood. Normal oxygen saturation levels range between 95% to 100%. Oxygen saturation levels in COPD are typically lower.

From Nationa Jewish Health - References devices such as the Acapella or Flutter Valve, The Vest and the Smart Vest that can be used to help bring up mucus.

Booklet developed by Lung Foundation Australia as a resource for those who have recently been prescribed home oxygen therapy and includes how home oxygen therapy works, the equipment that is used, practical tips others have found helpful and the answers to some commonly asked questions.

Their mission statement: "Inogen is innovative oxygen. We are committed to increasing the freedom and independence of oxygen therapy patients through innovative products and services."
They also have helpful educational information on their Blog.

Monitoring Systems

An oxygen equipment company.

Lincare is a provider for oxygen therapy. This is a nice site, with useful information for COPD patients.

Manufactures concentrators and converters that can be used in automobiles or Recreational Vehicles. They also manufacture emergency oxygen supply systems and hand held oximeters. Well worth checking into if you need a mobile concentrator for travel or additional mobility.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is a Federal agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that administers Medicare, Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). This site is very detailed and provides search engines for researching the specific topic in which you may be interested.

The Center for Medicare Advocacy, Inc. is a private, non-profit organization which provides education, advocacy, and legal assistance to help elders and people with disabilities obtain necessary healthcare. We focus on the needs of Medicare beneficiaries, people with chronicyou might ber conditions, and those in need of long-term care. The organization is involved in education, training and litigation activities of importance to Medicare beneficiaries nationwide. The service is free in Connecticut and for a fee for others.

The official benefits website of the U.S. government.

BenefitsCheckUp is free service of the National Council on Aging (NCOA), a nonprofit service and advocacy organization in Washington, DC. Many adults over 55 need help paying for prescription drugs, health care, utilities, and other basic needs. There are over 2,000 federal, state and private benefits programs available to help. But many people don't know these programs exist or how they can apply.

This is a very well organized and informative site for military retirees and their dependents. It has resources for locating Primary Care Providers in your local area. Benefits and entitlements under the tricare health care system and outlines the procedures used for checking and submitting claims.

This site has a wealth of information on veterans entitlements, including educational benefits, assistance in purchasing a home, locations of veterans hospitals, applying for disability benefits and reduced costs for medication. All veterans should review this site you may be surprised at your entitlements.

Use the Benefits Finder for a customized list of federal, provincial and territorial programs and services.

Senior Citizen's federal grants, government grants and loans.

Programs for all the biggest cities in all 50 states.

Grants for Senoirs in all 50 states.

Suggested items that Senoirs may need or use.