Most of us have heard the term “bronchitis”, but with so many other respiratory conditions it can become quite confusing to figure out which one is which. Even though the name may be simple and easy to pronounce, the condition can have significant effects. Essentially, bronchitis is an inflammation of the larger airways in the lungs, versus bronchiolitis which occurs in the smaller airways. The cause is often the result of an infection from a virus, hence the term “acute” bronchitis – which means it is a sudden onset. It may appear to be an upper respiratory tract infection with a cough, production of sputum, aches, pains, sore throat and not feeling well overall. As with many illnesses, it always seems to last too long but usually recovery is expected in 7 to 10 days and the goal during that time is to help keep the symptoms under control. Because the cause is usually a virus, antibiotics do not work, so they will not help, unless a secondary infection develops, which will then need further treatment by a medical professional.
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Aging and Maintaining Independence
Posted by in Respiratory Equipment on May 23, 2012 - (0 Comments)From a very young age, we start learning how to be independent. Picture the small child attempting to tie their own shoes, and when offered help, they respond with “I can do it!” That trend continues throughout our entire lives and for those that are seniors, maintaining their independence is one of their key strongholds.
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We’ve all heard about someone having pneumonia, whether it’s a family member or some famous celebrity, so it does not belong in that category of rare diseases by any means. That said, it still is harmful to a lot of people.
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Recently, a good friend of mine had a garage sale in an attempt to start downsizing in preparation for moving to a smaller home. As she was pulling articles for the sale, she was surprised to see how much “stuff” she and her husband had accumulated over the years – much of which they had not used. We have all seen the television programs on hoarding, but that is obviously a serious extreme to accumulating belongings as we travel on our life’s journey.
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What happens when you are told that you have to make some changes to your lifestyle for health reasons? How do you cope? For most of us, change is never easy. If your physician says you need to start using a walker for safety while you are walking, where you do start? There are lots of fancy walkers out there, some with 2 or 4 wheels, others with a seat and a special basket with choices in bright colors.
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As we go through life’s journey, we move from one home to another and that is usually the point where so many of us decide what to keep, what to donate, and what items are to be tossed. Imagine living in a home for 40 years, having raised children there, hosting many a party or holiday event – what fond memories those must have been for so many! That said, a home is a taskmaster that requires ongoing cleaning, maintenance and of course, those lovely bills that manage to find their way to your mailbox.
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In a prior blog, we discussed staying mentally and emotionally well. Laughter, of course, is a key factor in helping us maintain our emotional and mental health. What exactly are the effects of laughter?
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Wellness is just not all about being free from disease or illness, but it must also address a person’s emotional and mental status. A key element of that is being happy; and not just having a great sense of humor, but having that essential feeling of being in a good place and having a positive attitude in general. Of course, we all have days where we may feel a little grumpy or out of sorts, and that’s normal – not every day is perfect weather and sunshine. Having those rough patches can make us appreciate the good days.
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As a “Boomer” we still think we are young at heart, even though sometimes the mirror gives us a jolt of reality. What does it mean to each of you as you look at your life? Are you preparing for today, or just this week, this month? What is left to do in your career, in your dreams? Have you prepared for aging? That said, how many of us really take a deep breath, pause and consider where we are today, and then, where we want to be tomorrow?
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Your Heart Is a Machine, Part 2
Posted by in Oxygen Therapy Solution on April 6, 2012 - (2 Comments)When speaking previously about Congestive Heart Failure, one of the causes discussed was damage to the heart. So how exactly does that happen? Unfortunately, long standing coronary artery disease, or CAD, is one of the key factors. CAD occurs when the blood vessels supplying the heart with blood and oxygen are narrowed, often from a cholesterol buildup. If the lack of oxygen is severe enough, it can result in a heart attack or myocardial infarction (also referred to as an MI). The area of the heart that did not receive the oxygen is then permanently scarred or damaged, which can range from mild to severe damage.
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