November is COPD awareness month, a time to come together and educate people of all backgrounds about the global impact of chronic bronchitis and emphysema. COPD awareness month is marked by an orange ribbon and can be observed in a number of different ways. Despite being the third leading cause of death in the United States, COPD suffers from a severe lack of awareness. According to a Health Union survey, only about 38 percent of patients were aware what COPD was or what its risk factors were before being diagnosed.

Believe it or not, November is also lung cancer awareness month. And while these two diseases share many symptoms, causes, and risk factors, they are not the same disease. To put this into perspective, about 16 million people have COPD in the United States, yet only about 541,000 people have lung cancer in the United States. Generally speaking, more people are aware of the impact of lung cancer and they’re more educated about the symptoms than those of COPD.

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No matter whether you’ve just been diagnosed with COPD, you’ve had COPD for years, or you’ve never been diagnosed with COPD, we’re going to take a look at seven of the best ways to celebrate COPD awareness month. If you have any questions about anything you’ve read here, please feel free to leave a comment or reach out to us.

Participate in Local Events

The novel coronavirus has made 2020 a difficult year for in-person events like concerts, fundraisers, and more. In order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, many of these events have been canceled in order to limit or outright prevent human-to-human contact. But that doesn’t mean that these events have stopped entirely, it just means that people have had to adapt to a new way of doing things. For most people, this has meant relying more on technology than ever before and embracing things like social media and video conferences.

Because COVID-19 specifically targets the respiratory system, it’s more important than ever for COPD patients to be aware of what’s going on in the world of COPD research. According to COPD News Today, although respiratory patients have a high survival rate when contracting COVID-19, they’re still at a much higher risk of experiencing severe symptoms from the virus than the general public. COPD patients are more likely to experience exacerbations such as increased dyspnea, phlegm production in the airways, and chest pain.   

Mentor Youth to Prevent Smoking and Vaping

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), smoking rates have declined from 20.9 percent in 2005 to 15.5 percent in 2016 among adults 18 years of age and older. While this is certainly great news, there are still many battles to be fought when it comes to smoking prevention, especially among people who are most vulnerable such as the youth. According to Heathline, about 8 percent of teens smoke cigarettes and about 21 percent use e-cigarettes or vape pens.

Vaping has often been touted as the “best option” for weaning people off of cigarettes and onto a substance that’s less harmful for your health. However, vaping has been linked to a number of illnesses commonly called E-cigarette or Vaping product use-Associated Lung Injury (EVALI). What’s more, many people argue that vaping can be used as a “gateway drug” leading to the use of cigarettes and marijuana, especially in younger generations.

If you have COPD, you likely agree that any amount of drug use among American youth is too much. This is why COPD awareness month is the perfect time to mentor kids and teens about the dangers of cigarette smoking. If you know what it’s like to live with COPD and you’ve spent time researching and understanding your disease, this puts you in a great position to mentor younger generations and teach them about a disease they may know little or nothing about.

There are many ways to get involved with youth mentoring. First and foremost, you can simply speak with friends or family members and tell them your story of coping with COPD. Another thing you can do is support tobacco-free schools and programs. While most schools do promote a smoke-free lifestyle, the more engagement there is from parents and previous smokers, the easier it will be to create a truly smoke-free generation. In short, smoking trends have decreased significantly over the decades, and it’s mostly due to people like you who want to make a difference in someone’s life. 

Create an Online COPD Group

In this day and age, it’s easier than ever before to stay connected to the outside world. With social media sites like Facebook and online COPD communities like COPD360Social made by the COPD Foundation, you can be connected with thousands of other COPD patients around the world in a matter of minutes. As long as you use discretion when you read something, this can be an incredibly powerful tool for helping you understand your disease and learn about possible treatment options that you may not have heard of otherwise.

If you can’t find the right community for you, however, COPD awareness month may be the perfect time to start your own online COPD community. This is a great idea if you have a close group of friends with COPD who want to stay connected despite the pandemic we’re currently facing. You’ll also have the option of keeping the group closed or open, allowing people all over the world to join in on your conversations about COPD. Keep in mind that your social media group doesn’t have to focus on COPD. You could also discuss things that keep your mind off of your disease and the current state of the world.

Reevaluate Your Short- and Long-Term Goals

Goal planning is extremely important if you live with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or any other type of respiratory impairment. Long-term goals focus on broad accomplishments such as smoking cessation, exercise goals, and diet goals, whereas short-term goals are like baby steps that you will use to achieve your long-term goals. Being faced with a COPD diagnosis often means drastically altering your goals as well as changing your outlook on life. 

Since COPD awareness month comes around once a year, it’s the perfect time to reevaluate your goals and make sure that you’re on track to meet them. COPD plans are oftentimes confusing and multifaceted, so it’s best to assume that you can always make improvements to it. For example, if you’ve already drastically changed your diet think about other ways to benefit from your diet like eating smaller meals throughout the day, creating a meal plan so that you are more consistent with your diet, or contacting your doctor to see if there are any additional changes you can make. Ultimately, you don’t want to feel overwhelmed by your treatment plan, but you also want to always feel like you have something to work towards.

Participate in a Clinical Trial Program

A clinical trial is a research project aimed at determining the safety and efficacy of a particular medicine or medical procedure. Clinical trials are overseen by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and they’re divided into four different phases. Phase one clinical trials typically test the safety of a drug or medical procedure and phase two clinical trials are focused on their efficacy. Phase three tests the drug in diverse populations and in different dosages or in combination with other drugs. Last but not least, phase four trials are aimed at monitoring drugs after they’ve already been approved for the market.

There are many reasons to participate in clinical trials this COPD awareness month, but the main reason is that it helps researchers learn more about the lungs and how to treat chronic illnesses like COPD. In order to learn more about COPD and how to treat it, researchers need people of all backgrounds to test their medication. By doing this, they are able to understand who might benefit from it in the future and who should avoid it due to negative side-effects.

Another reason you may want to participate in a clinical trial is because it affords you the opportunity to use COPD medication that is not available to most people. You’ll also be happy to know that most clinical trials are free to participate in and you may even get paid for the time you put into it. Before offering you any type of medication, clinical trial organizations are required to perform a medical examination to ensure there isn’t a high risk of harm, so you can rest assured that clinical trials are safe. To learn more about clinical trials in your area, visit clinicaltrials.gov. 

Take Up a New Hobby

Hobbies are the meaningful tasks that we use to fill our day-to-day life. They’re separate from our life-long goals and aspirations, but they can also be a significant part of who we are and what our purpose is in life. A hobby can be something as simple as doing a crossword puzzle or something more complex and involved like scrapbooking or playing music. Unfortunately, many COPD patients define themselves by their disease rather than by the things that are important to them. This is why COPD awareness month is a great time to pick up a new hobby and discover something that’s important to you.

One of the biggest issues facing the COPD community is anxiety and depression, so it’s best to find a hobby that combats these issues. According to Healthline, one of the best ways to prevent depression is through exercise so if you can find a hobby that gets you up and moving, it’s likely to keep you happy and healthy. Since your COPD treatment plan already requires you to perform pulmonary rehabilitation it might be worth it to find a way to combine your hobbies and your exercise routine. Hobbies like reading or playing games are also great because they keep your mind engaged and prevent your thoughts from wondering.  

Raise Awareness for Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency

It’s so easy to get caught up in conversations about smoking and air pollution and forget about the primary genetic cause of COPD: Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (AAT deficiency). Alpha-1 antitrypsin is a type of protein that’s created by the liver. Its job is to protect the lungs from inflammation. When this protein is distributed in low quantities it can make the patient more susceptible to lung damage from smoking, air pollution, and lung infection. Alpha-1 deficiency is known to contribute the pathogenesis of lung disease in people who have never smoked and have lived otherwise healthy lives.

Alpha-1 deficiency is genetic, meaning it’s inherited from the parents and it does not appear in offspring unless both parents have this trait. As a result, alpha-1 deficiency is a fairly rare condition, affecting about 100,000 people in the United States. Alpha-1 deficiency is more common in people of European descent and less common in people of Asian descent. If Alpha-1 deficiency results in the liver retaining this protein, it can also lead to the development of scar tissue in the liver.

While alpha-1 deficiency only causes about 3 percent of COPD cases, it’s still an important risk factor to know about. Many people with alpha-1 deficiency are undiagnosed and resulting lung damage is often misdiagnosed as asthma. So, the more aware the general population is of this rare disease, the more likely it can be treated before doing severe damage to the respiratory system. Read our blog post about alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency and share it with a friend if they would benefit from it.

Conclusion

Unfortunately, contrary to its prominence in the United States, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease suffers from severe underrepresentation and lack of awareness among the general population. This is due to several reasons. First and foremost, the majority of people who smoke never contract COPD. Rather, smokers are more likely to contract other illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes, all of which can detract from the national conversation about chronic bronchitis and emphysema. 

Another reason there is a lack of awareness around COPD is that it shares the same awareness month as lung cancer. While it’s certainly important for COPD patients to understand their high risk of contracting lung cancer, it’s also important to remember that COPD is a silent disease in many ways since it is often underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed. Helping people to understand that COPD and lung cancer are two different diseases may help shed more light on the unique problems associated with each.

Ultimately, COPD awareness month is a month that should be observed by everyone, regardless of whether or not you have COPD or you know someone who has COPD. Take some of the aforementioned tips into consideration as you plan for the weeks ahead and be sure to leave a comment below if you have any questions or concerns.   

Most people like to think of the internet as a place they can have all their burning questions answered. Just a quick visit to your favorite search engine and you can have some of the world’s most complex questions answered in a matter of minutes. However, while it is easy to use the internet, it’s still important to be wary about where we’re getting our information and how we use it.

When it comes to oxygen concentrators, there is a lot of misinformation to be found on the internet. Whether it’s confusion about the cost of oxygen concentrators, how they work, or anything else, this information might dissuade someone from purchasing one, and thus experiencing the many benefits that they offer. In many ways, this is understandable considering the fact that oxygen concentrators have a lot more features than other oxygen devices such as oxygen tanks and liquid oxygen tanks.

In this post, we’re going to go through a couple of the most common myths and misconceptions about oxygen concentrators and debunk them. By doing so, we hope to provide you with a more clear understanding of what your options are in terms of supplemental oxygen therapy. If you have any questions at all after reading this article, feel free to reach out to our respiratory specialists.

Myth #1 - They’re Not a Cost-Effective Option

Understandably, cost is a major concern for many oxygen patients. Money can be tight these days especially if you’re having to spend a lot on medication, doctor’s visits, and other healthcare costs. This is why many people are looking for the cheapest option when it comes to supplemental oxygen therapy.

While it’s certainly a good idea to look for the best deal possible on medical oxygen, it’s also important to think in the long term rather than the short term. Buying the cheapest oxygen concentrator might seem like a good idea at the moment, but you may begin to regret your purchase over the course of several weeks or months.

Oxygen concentrators can be deceiving in that they have a higher upfront cost than oxygen tanks or liquid oxygen tanks. But over the course of several years, oxygen tanks rack up a lot of costs that you simply won’t have to deal with if you own an oxygen concentrator. What’s more, oxygen concentrators that are manufactured by reputable brands tend to have a lifespan of anywhere between 5 to 7 years and they’re designed to be run 24 hours a day without being turned off.

Another reason oxygen concentrators are cost-effective is that they come with manufacturer’s warranties. A warranty is a contract that states the oxygen company will repair or replace a unit if it becomes damaged within a certain period of time. Most oxygen companies offer a 3-year warranty free of charge with the purchase of a new oxygen concentrator, but they can often be extended to a 5-year or lifetime warranties for an additional cost. However, for most people, three years is plenty of time to ensure that your oxygen device is working properly.

When you compare oxygen concentrators to other oxygen therapy devices like oxygen tanks and liquid oxygen tanks, the long-term costs are much lower. Oxygen tanks need to be refilled weekly and if you don’t want to drive to the nearest oxygen station, you will need to pay to have them delivered as well. Over time, this can become a hefty expenditure. On the other hand, oxygen concentrators do not need to be refilled and the only thing you’ll need to do is replace the sieve beds which are responsible for filtering out unneeded gases like nitrogen and argon.

Myth #2 - They’re Complicated and Difficult to Understand

The last thing most people want nowadays is another device or gadget to worry about. From smartphones to computers, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the complicated technology that surrounds us every day. This is why many people worry about purchasing an oxygen concentrator. They’re under the impression that it will be difficult to understand just like their phone or computer.

Fortunately, this is not the case! Oxygen concentrators are actually designed to be very easy to operate and many people would argue that they’re even easier to use than an oxygen tank or liquid oxygen tank. For example, one of the most popular portable oxygen concentrators on the market, the Caire FreeStyle Comfort, has just three buttons — one to turn the power on and off, and two to adjust the flow setting. The screen displays the flow setting you currently have selected as well as the amount of battery life you have remaining. Aside from learning how to replace and charge the battery, this is all you need to know in order to start using it. 

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Another thing that makes oxygen concentrators easy to use is that they don’t have to be refilled like oxygen tanks do. Stationary oxygen concentrators like the Respironics EverFlo Q simply need to be plugged into a wall outlet in order to work and portable oxygen concentrators like the Inogen One G5 run off a portable battery. Oxygen tanks are much more difficult to learn because you need to know how to operate the tank as well as the oxygen concentrator that’s used to refill the tank. If you don’t want to hassle with this, you’ll need to have your oxygen delivered which is costly.

Several newer portable oxygen concentrators like the Inogen One G5 and Caire FreeStyle Comfort have technology that enables you to connect to your smartphone and view information pertaining to your oxygen usage. The good news, however, is that these features are entirely optional, so you can just use the basic features of the concentrator without ever connecting it to your phone.

Myth #3 - They’re Dangerous to Use

Safety should be your number one priority when you choose an oxygen machine. After all, the whole point of being on medical oxygen in the first place is to keep you healthy and happy. So there’s no point in adding any unnecessary risks if you don’t have to. Many oxygen patients are surprised to discover that oxygen concentrators are the safest option available to them.

Since oxygen concentrators take surrounding room air and filter out gases like nitrogen and argon, they don’t hold any compressed oxygen. The oxygen simply passes through the device and into the nasal cannula where it is inspired by the oxygen patient. Oxygen tanks and liquid oxygen tanks work differently because they actually hold oxygen within the unit. A normal oxygen tank holds oxygen gas while a liquid oxygen cylinder holds liquid oxygen. While liquid oxygen tanks hold oxygen at much lower pressures, they can still be dangerous to use. 

Chances are when you go to pick up an oxygen tank for the first time, you will be provided with a long list of things that you’re not allowed to do. Here are just a few of the rules you’ll need to follow with an oxygen tank:

• Never smoke near an oxygen tank
• Oxygen tanks should be stored in a well-ventilated and non-confined space to avoid creating a fire hazard
• Use only water-based products rather than oily or petroleum-based products around an oxygen tank
• Never leave oxygen tanks or liquid oxygen tanks in a hot car
• Tanks should be stored so that they don’t move around while in transport
• Liquid oxygen tanks should never be stored on their side
• For more oxygen tank and liquid oxygen tank safety tips, check out this post
• For a list of oxygen concentrator safety tips, check out this post

As you can see, there are many things you need to watch out for when using any type of oxygen tank. And while there are certain things that you should look out for when you’re using an oxygen concentrator, they are nowhere near as dangerous as the alternative. For example, portable oxygen concentrators like the Inogen One G3 use pulse dose oxygen rather than continuous flow oxygen. The primary purpose of this is to conserve battery life, but it also serves a purpose as a safety feature. If you walk away from your oxygen device and leave it on by accident, the flow of oxygen will stop. This is because pulse dose concentrators have an advanced feature that only delivers oxygen when it detects a breath.

Another reason portable oxygen concentrators are so safe is that they are very small and lightweight. Most pulse dose portable oxygen concentrators are light enough to carry on one shoulder without it causing a lot of strain on your arm or back. Since you won’t be pulling it around using a wheeling cart, there’s no chance you’re going to bump into anything or get your nasal cannula caught on something as you’re walking. 

Myth #4 - They’re Loud and Disruptive

One of the biggest benefits of oxygen tanks is that they’re virtually silent. As a result, many oxygen patients are afraid to upgrade to an oxygen concentrator because they fear it will be loud and disruptive to their daily activities. Fortunately, this is not the case! While oxygen concentrators do put out more noise than an oxygen tank, you’re unlikely to find anyone who believes they are “loud” or “disruptive.”

While some older oxygen concentrators — mainly home oxygen concentrators — ring in at around 45 to 50 dBA (decibels), newer pulse dose portable oxygen concentrators like the Inogen One G5 and Caire FreeStyle Comfort are under 40 dBA making them no louder than a whisper or quiet conversation. This is very impressive considering how powerful and reliable these devices are.

All-in-all, while oxygen concentrators do make noise, it’s nowhere near as bad as people expect it to be. You’ll still be able to go to church, a library, or a friend’s house without feeling like you’re a burden to anyone. And if you’re someone who needs to be on oxygen 24/7, your oxygen concentrator won’t cause you to lose any sleep.

Myth #5 - They Don’t Work at High Altitudes

If you’ve lived at sea level your whole life, you might never think about the effect altitude plays on not only your health but your ability to use a medical oxygen device as well. The higher you are in altitude the more you will notice your COPD symptoms starting to get worse. Since the air is thinner the higher you go, it’s harder for your body to get the oxygen it needs. What’s more, if you don’t travel to high altitude very often, there’s a chance you could contract altitude sickness. This is when your body has a difficult time adjusting to this new atmosphere. During this time, it’s more important than ever to have an oxygen device that you can rely on.

Contrary to popular belief, most oxygen concentrators work just fine at high altitudes. The maximum operational elevation of the SeQual Eclipse 5, for example, is 13,123 feet above sea level. Considering the highest city in the country is just 10,151 feet above sea level, you’ll have no problems using this oxygen concentrator. Other oxygen concentrators will have similar maximum operational altitudes, but it’s important to check with your oxygen supplier if you’re planning on traveling to the mountains. Keep in mind that this does not apply to flying. When you’re on a plane the cabin is oxygenated so your oxygen concentrator will have no problems functioning on a plane.

How to Avoid Misinformation About Oxygen Concentrators

While oxygen concentrators offer oxygen patients more options than ever before, this has come with a price. Because oxygen concentrators vary so widely in terms of the features they offer, it has led to confusion about what benefits they actually offer. Above are just a few of the most common misconceptions about oxygen concentrators, but you’re sure to come across more as you do more research. If you want to avoid this, be sure to consult the user manual of the oxygen concentrator you have a question about. Most oxygen manufacturers make their manuals available to the public, not just people who have bought from them. Alternatively, feel free to reach out to our respiratory specialists here at LPT Medical and we can answer any question you may have.

Conclusion

Most people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are prescribed long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT). This is a type of supplemental oxygen therapy that requires patients to be on oxygen for 15 hours a day or more, seven days a week. As a result, it’s important to find an oxygen device that meets your long-term goals, not just your short-term needs.

Since oxygen concentrators have not been around very long in comparison to oxygen tanks, there tends to be a lot of misunderstanding about what they are, how they work, and what benefits they provide. The above are just a few of the common myths we wanted to debunk in order to help you make an informed decision about your health.

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If you don’t want to spend hours researching oxygen devices online, we recommend reaching out to our respiratory specialists here at LPT Medical. Our primary goal is to understand your needs and preferences, then narrow down an oxygen concentrator that’s best for you. We also aim to provide oxygen concentrators for anyone who wants them so we offer many flexible options such as oxygen concentrator rental, used oxygen concentrators, refurbished oxygen concentrators, and brand new oxygen concentrators depending on your budget.

It is that time of the year again, the holidays are upon us. If you are looking into gift ideas for your loved ones already, and you are having trouble deciding on something special for the person in your life with COPD or another respiratory illness, this gift guide is for you!

In the midst of all the confusion and uncertainty in dealing with the global pandemic, time does not stop moving, the holidays are coming. The holiday festivities are limited, and maybe your travel plans have been canceled, but there are still plenty of opportunities to make the end of 2020 special for your loved ones. Giving your special someone a thoughtful gift can make a big difference this year when spending time together may not be an option.

This year has been especially hard for people with chronic illnesses including Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Fortunately, people with COPD are not at higher risk of getting the coronavirus however, people with COPD are at higher risk for complications and poorer outcomes if they do catch COVID-19, therefore, these fold have been very isolated and frighten for a long time.

We created this gift guide for people with COPD in 2020 that will give you some ideas into how you can make the holidays feel special, even if you are spending them apart.

Bear in mind, that this year has taken a great toll on small businesses around the world. If your favorite little shop in town hasn’t closed their doors for good, they still might be struggling to stay afloat due to stay-at-home mandates, limiting capacity in-store regulations, and other state mandated restrictions that are put in place to ensure the safety and health of local residents from the Coronavirus.

That being said, many storefront shops have developed an online platform where you can go to order gifts online. So remember that Amazon is not your only option, and some of your favorite local businesses would greatly appreciate your support in these trying times, even if you can’t go into their store to shop in person at the moment!

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While LTP Medical has two locations: oxygen supplies out of Denver, CO and oxygen equipment in Boca, Raton Florida, we only have an one online store at the moment, and as a small family owned businesses we fully support the local companies in our two locations that are dedicated to bringing high-quaility products to their loyal customers. Depending on where you live, we hope you do the same this holiday season!

So let's get into it!

Gift Ideas for Someone with COPD

CT Mask

A CT mask is designed to give people with lung disease, such as asthma and COPD, the ability to breathe warm, moist air outdoors in cold dry weather. Cold weather and breathing in cold air can cause COPD symptoms to become exacerbated because the cold dry air removes moisture from the bronchial passages, creating inflammation which narrows the airways. It is always smart for people with COPD to minimize their exposure to certain irritates that will dramatize their COPD symptoms, this includes cold dry air.

The CT Mask is a perfect solution for this issue, but also keep in mind that it DOES NOT PROTECT AGAINST COVID-19. The Ct Mask is essentially a thermal exchange module, which initiates a heat exchange cycle each time there is an inhalation and exhalation. The heat and moisture from the exhaled breath is held inside the module and transferred into your next inhaled breath. So instead of breathing in cold dry air, warm, moist, fresh air is inhaled.

Portable Oxygen Concentrator

If you have a loved one with COPD or another lung disease that requires them to be on oxygen 24/7, their oxygen device is with them everyday all day. A portable oxygen concentrator is a battery powered medical device that does require a doctor’s prescription when you buy from a licensed distributor. These machines are lightweight and dynamic, and can even be taken on airplanes, unlike oxygen tanks and canisters.

With oxygen tanks, a delivery company comes and refills empty tanks or replaces empty tanks with filled ones. This process happens at least once every two weeks depending on how much oxygen they need. Every time oxygen is delivered it costs money and time. With a portable oxygen concentrator, all you have to do is charge the batteries while you are resting or sleeping, but you will never “run out of oxygen” because the device pulls ambient air from the surrounding area and compresses the gas into pure medical grade oxygen.

If your loved one still used an oxygen tank, but would qualify for a portable oxygen concentrator, there are a lot of benefits they could reap by switching from oxygen tanks to a portable oxygen concentrator. First and foremost, if they like to travel, having portable oxygen concentrators is much more reliable for extended periods of time and not having to re-fill the device is much more efficient for extended stays away from home.

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There are two kinds of portable oxygen concentrators, one is a pulse flow and the other delivers continuous flow. The most popular pulse flow portable oxygen concentrators on the market are the Inogen One G5 and the Carie Freestyle Comfort. These are in high-demand because of the efficiency and lightweight designs. So they aren’t just easy to carry, either with the custom carrying case or in a backpack, they are also powerful and cover most oxygen patients that require a pulse dose and even have some wiggle room should their oxygen prescription increase over time.

If your loved one already has a portable oxygen concentrator, you could get them oxygen device accessories that makes operating, transporting, and breathing even easier. When you order a portable oxygen concentrator from LPT Medical, it also comes with a battery, a custom carrying case, tubing, filters, and the manual. But there are a few add on accessories that would make a great holiday gift!

Air Purifier

Someone with COPD needs to breathe clean air as much as possible, this reduces symptoms and even helps slow down the progression of COPD. So how do you get someone you love clean air in a world filled with wildfires, pollution, dust mites, and some many other irritates?

A high quality air filter is renowned for its ability to remove almost all airborne particles from the air indoors. Having an air filter can relieve allergy symptoms, improve sleep and help improve overall health, for people suffering from COPD an air filter is a wise decision to improve their quality of life not just within their own home, but it will improve their health and wellbeing so they can spend more time outdoors if they chose to.

Lung Health Meter

Keeping track of one’s health is crucial for someone with COPD. Because this disease is chronic and progressive, it is very helpful for doctors and the pulmonary health team to have updated notes on how the disease has progressed since the last time visiting the doctor.

One of the most important tests when measuring respiratory health is the pulmonary function test’s, which can be taken with a forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1). A Lung Health Meter can store up to FEV1 240 readings, so tracking pulmonary health over time is easy.

Fingertip Pulse Oximeter

Another way to keep track of respiratory health is with a portable oximeter. This device helps respiratory patients to maintain healthy vitals and good health. They can be used for checking the pulse and blood oxygen saturation levels in a convenient and quick way, allowing users to closely monitor their health at all stages of the day.

Ultra-Breathe Compact Breathing Exerciser

It might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about what a respiratory patient needs- but exercise is necessary to maintain good health and slow the progression of COPD. Regular exercise is crucial to maintaining respiratory health, yet finding a balanced exercise that challenges COPD patients without exhausting them can be difficult.

A compact breathing exerciser boosts respiratory performance and it is a great device for those who suffer from shortness of breath by providing breathing resistance that is easily adjustable for varying lung fitness levels.

Exercise Bike

As we mentioned before, exercising is crucial for anyone who is looking to improve their muscular strength and endurance, and this includes COPD patients who want to better their respiratory health. That being said, for people with COPD, it can be very challenging to exercise.

An exercise bike gives them the opportunity to work out their cardiovascular system from the comfort of their own homes. An exercise bike does not have to be a demanding work out and it is especially gentle on the joints compared to other workouts.

Walking Shoes

.A nice pair of walking shoes is a great gift for a person with COPD because walking is just about the single most important activity a person suffering from chronic lung illnesses can possibly do.

Even if they walk indoors more than outdoors, having a supportive walking shoe with good traction can help them feel motivated and confident to walk safely around their home or neighborhood.

COPD Healthy Cookbook and COPD guide books

There’s no known cure for COPD but there are things you can do to live and breathe better and eating healthy is one. Healthy COPD oriented cookbooks can help someone you love, live better with COPD.

When you can't breathe, nothing else matters, what might help is knowing that about 16 Million Americans suffer from COPD as well, and there are a lot of resources, including books, available with tips and tricks on how to manage this disease.

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Helpful books about COPD can be about how it affects the patient’s breathing, books about the most up-to-date medication and treatment options, self-help books about how to track symptoms and medications. Books that give the reader breathing techniques to improve oxygen intake or strategies for healthy nutrition and gentle exercise. Or, books about what to eat and what to avoid, with lists of key COPD foods. Lastly, books with stories from others who also have COPD can help pass the time spent in quarantine, and remind them that they are not alone in this.

Actionable Holiday Gift Ideas

Actions speak louder than words and kind gestures can make a very lasting impression as a holiday gift, especially something thoughtful.

The gift of reorganization

If your loved one with COPD lives nearby, you could offer to reorganize their home for them. Moving and carrying heavy objects does not come easily for people with COPD, and a lot of time in isolation and quarantine can make things a little messy. This action can make a huge difference in a person’s life who struggles to get around their own home.

You can make sure to clear all of the hallways and walking areas so they can get around their home easily with their oxygen device

If you like the idea of organizing your loved one spaces,, it would be wise to get COVID tested and be sure it comes back negative and to self-quarantine before interacting with your loved one with COPD. You can also take added precautions to wear gloves and a mask while inside their home, and do your best to maintain distance from them. They could even go outside for a walk while you are inside, to ensure there is no contact.

The gift of cleaning

Another idea for your loved one with COPD is too deep clean their home. Dust and dust-mites are greatly irritating for people with COPD and having an allergen free home can hugely benefit a person with COPD.

Having all natural cleaning products with no harsh chemicals is also very important. So if you notice they tend to use bleach and chemical-fill disinfects, you could collect a variety of COPD safe natural cleaning agents. You can use those products to clean their home, and then leave the safe natural products with them, and dispose of the harsh chemical products that they might not even know are harming them.

Examples of COPD safe cleaning products include variations of warm water mixed with:

• Vinegar
• Baking soda
• Lemon
• Dish soap

Subscription to a Home Delivery Meal Service

Our last holiday gift idea for a COPD is a subscription to a home delivery meal service. Cooking can also be harmful and sometimes impossible for COPD patients especially if they have a gas stove.

Eating healthy is also expensive and requires a lot of time spent at the grocery store looking for COPD healthy foods that a lot of patients are not capable of handling on their own especially when they are trying to stay at home as much as possible and maintain social distance. If your loved one with COPD prefers to eat out or get delivery, you can order them a subscription to a meal delivery service that specializes in healthy foods that are easy to make.

Overview

We hope that we have given you some ideas for what you could get your loved one with COPD this year during the holidays. It is a particularly unique holiday season, where our spirt and acts of kindness go a long way in making someone feel less alone, and more connect than ever. 

Look out for another gift guide coming soon that will be specific to our friends and family who use oxygen. 

Headaches are a problem that we all deal with whether we’re young or old; healthy or not. A mild headache can detract from our daily life causing us to feel distracted, unmotivated, or restless. But at their worst, headaches can leave us completely unable to function in our daily lives. Many COPD patients may find themselves somewhere in between. You might get headaches periodically with varying degrees of severity, and experience periods of relief.

If you’ve noticed that you experience more headaches or more severe headaches since contracting COPD, the two conditions are most likely linked. In other words, focusing on treating your underlying COPD symptoms may help you to manage or completely eliminate your headaches as well.

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In the following article, we’ll take a look at some important steps you should take to treat headaches if you have COPD. As usual, if your headaches persist or you believe they may be caused by some other health issue, be sure to schedule an appointment with your doctor to discuss the potential cause.

How COPD Causes Headaches

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a group of lung diseases that cause difficulty breathing. It’s called an “obstructive” disease because it makes it more difficult for a patient to expel air from the lungs. Diseases that make it more difficult for patients to inspire air are called “restrictive” because they’re caused by lungs that are unable to expand completely.

Your lungs have two functions: to bring in oxygen-rich air and to remove carbon dioxide-rich air. If one of these functions is out of balance, it can lead to a lot of problems. For example, hypoxia can occur when your blood has low oxygen levels. Over time, this can lead to severe symptoms, because your tissues are being deprived of a basic component that they need to function.

Another problem that can result from a chronic lung disease like COPD is hypercapnia. This is a condition that happens when you retain too much carbon dioxide. Having too much carbon dioxide in the blood can lead to similar symptoms as hypoxia by damaging organs and slowing the rate at which oxygen gets to your body’s tissues.

The most common cause of headaches in COPD patients is a low blood oxygen level due to either hypoxia or hypercapnia. While the brain only makes up about 2 percent of your body’s weight, it receives 15 to 20 percent of the body’s blood supply. As such, you’re likely to experience a headache due to low blood oxygen levels before any other symptom. 

Many COPD patients experience headaches in the morning after waking up and this is likely due to sleeping problems such as sleep apnea which can be exacerbated by a chronic lung condition. When these two conditions occur together simultaneously, it’s called COPD-OSA overlap syndrome. If you have overlap syndrome, your doctor will likely prescribe both supplemental oxygen and CPAP or BiPAP therapy to help you sleep better at night.

Focus on Your COPD Treatment Plan

A COPD treatment plan is a set of steps you take to treat the underlying symptoms of COPD. Most doctors will recommend some combination of supplemental oxygen therapy, pulmonary rehabilitation, an improved diet, and a revised sleep schedule. However, depending on the severity of your COPD and whether or not you have comorbidities may affect how you should be treating your disease.

The reason that you should start with your treatment plan is that it will rule out COPD as the cause of your headaches. If you’re doing everything that you should be doing to manage your respiratory health and you’re still experiencing headaches regularly, it’s safe to say that there is something else causing the issue. On the other hand, if you’re experiencing headaches in the morning, they could be due to a drop in blood oxygen levels at night. In this case, you may need to talk to your doctor about having a sleep test done.

Supplemental Oxygen Therapy

The vast majority of people with COPD are prescribed supplemental oxygen. Some people are only required to use it several hours a day or as needed when blood oxygen levels are low. However, a large number of COPD patients need to use oxygen for 16 hours or more each day. Unfortunately, some people find themselves either falling back on the supplemental oxygen plan their doctor set for them or they are unknowingly using their oxygen device incorrectly.

Oxygen tanks have been the industry standard for oxygen therapy for a long time. But they don’t meet the needs of every oxygen patient because they’re heavy and bulky. As a result, oxygen tank users frequently feel like they aren’t able to get where they need to go without help from a friend or loved one. Carrying around a heavy oxygen tank can also lead to breathlessness, low blood oxygen levels, and thus headaches, so it may be worth it to look for a different oxygen therapy device.

Portable oxygen concentrators offer a much more convenient way to use oxygen. Since they’re both small and lightweight, they help you ensure that your oxygen needs are met wherever you go. POCs are battery-powered, so you’ll never find yourself where you run out of oxygen. Simply plug it into any car or wall outlet and you can continue using it and charging your batteries.

Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Pulmonary rehabilitation is a fancy way of saying exercise that’s focused on your lung health. Pulmonary rehab is a supervised program meaning you will work with a medical expert who will show you the proper way to exercise if you have impaired lung function. However, once you know how to exercise correctly, you can perform pulmonary rehabilitation in the comfort of your own home.

The reason pulmonary rehab is so important in preventing headaches is that a sedentary lifestyle and poor posture can make you more susceptible to headaches. Consistent moderate exercise is one of the best remedies for headaches because it keeps blood flowing to the brain and the rest of the body. Exercise also helps you improve your posture which is another thing that can affect your body’s circulation.

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Healthy Diet

Your diet plays an immense role in your body’s ability to ward off headaches. According to migrainetrust.org, skipping meals, dieting, eating high-sugar foods, and fasting can all contribute to or cause headaches. What’s more, according to COPD News Today, studies suggest that inflammation caused by COPD can contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes. This condition is known for causing low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and as a result, headaches.

As a COPD patient, your diet should be strictly regulated. First and foremost, you should be eating smaller meals throughout the day rather than one or two big meals. Your body may struggle to digest larger meals, so the more you can spread out your meals, the better. Secondly, you need to be eating the right types of foods. COPD patients need food that is high in fiber, protein, and healthy fats, but low in added sugar and salt, as well as highly processed or fried foods. This will ensure that your lungs remain healthy and strong and you don’t have any bouts of hunger or energy loss that could lead to headaches.

Smoking Cessation

Smoking is likely one of the most common causes of headaches in COPD patients. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 38% of COPD patients are current smokers. While smoking temporarily alleviates stress, anxiety, and headaches, the withdrawals you experience after the fact can be particularly painful. According to WebMD, insomnia, cravings, and headaches due to nicotine withdrawal typically begin 3 to 5 days after you last smoked. If you’re trying to quit smoking but keep falling back on your plans, this could be why you’re experiencing headaches.

Avoid COPD Triggers

A COPD trigger is anything that can cause a flareup in your COPD symptoms. Some common COPD triggers include cigarette smoke, car exhaust, indoor cleaners, dust, pollen, and more. COPD triggers can cause your airways to constrict, increase inflammation in the lungs, and increase the production of mucus, all of which make it more difficult to breathe. Additionally, COPD exacerbations can lead to a high degree of stress and anxiety, all of which can contribute to headaches.

Ideally, you should be conscious of the quality of air that you are breathing throughout the day. When you’re indoors, make sure you are not exposed to dust, mold, or toxic cleaning supplies. And before going outside, be sure to check the air quality index to make sure the air is clean enough for someone with a chronic respiratory illness. Also, be sure to have a plan for dealing with flare-ups and exacerbations.  

Drink Lots of Water

According to the H.H. Mitchell, Journal of Biological Chemistry, the heart and brain are composed of 73% water and the lungs are composed of 83 percent water. What this means is that depriving your body of water doesn’t just prevent your brain from getting the water it needs, but it also makes it more difficult for your heart and lungs to bring oxygen-rich blood to your brain. While every tissue in your body needs water, your brain needs it most of all. 

COPD Medications

The medications that you take for COPD can be both the cause of, and the cure for your headaches. Generally speaking, taking medication as it’s prescribed by your doctor will help stabilize your blood oxygen level and mitigate the chance that you will experience an exacerbation or other COPD-related complication. However, some COPD medications have “headaches” listed as a side-effect, so this isn’t something you should rule out.

Fast-acting bronchodilators (also known as rescue inhalers) are an important part of any COPD treatment plan. They include drugs like albuterol, albuterol sulfate, and levalbuterol, and they’re responsible for quickly alleviating COPD symptoms like chest tightness and excess mucus production. However, fast-acting bronchodilators are also known for having a lot of side-effects like headaches, dizziness, and nausea.

Be Careful With Pain-Relief Medications

Unfortunately, most discussions around COPD are focused on alleviating the symptoms of the disease and less on alleviating pain that’s associated with those symptoms. While pain medication can be used safely and effectively in COPD patients, it should not be seen as a cure-all or something that’s used on a daily basis. What’s more, you have to be careful about what pain relievers you’re using and how they will interact with your COPD medications.

Consult Your Doctor

While you can continue to research the potential cause of your headaches, the best way to deal with this problem as quickly as possible is to consult your doctor. While it may seem like a hassle to go to the doctor just to ask about your headaches, there could be a very simple solution to your problem or there may be a more serious underlying problem that your doctor needs to know about. Be sure to write down the following information before you schedule an appointment:

• The frequency and severity of your headaches
• What time of day or night your headaches occur
• The location on your head that you feel the most pain
• What foods you’re eating each day
• How much water you’re consuming daily
• What your sleep schedule is like
• Any additional medication you’re taking (that wasn’t prescribed by your doctor)

Conclusion

Headaches are not an uncommon side-effect of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Likely one of the first symptoms you will experience if your blood oxygen levels are low is a headache. But there’s also a chance that the pain you’re experiencing is completely unrelated to your respiratory condition. 

Start by trying a few of the tips listed above and if they don’t work, be sure to consult your doctor. While there may be a simple solution to your headache problem, they could be a sign of a more serious underlying condition, so it’s best to speak with your doctor sooner rather than later.

In the meantime, if you’re looking for a new mobile oxygen machine to manage your respiratory condition, feel free to browse our portable oxygen concentrators here at LPT Medical. We offer all of the most popular and reliable units including but not limited to the Caire FreeStyle Comfort and the Inogen One G5. Both of which weigh under 5 pounds and offer outstanding battery life to keep you out and about for longer. Speak with one of our respiratory specialists to learn more.

COPD is a life-long, chronic disease that can cause a great deal of stress, anxiety, and physical discomfort. Because of this, people with COPD often have to grapple with depression and other psychological issues as a result of living with this difficult disease.

If you have COPD, you might be wondering what you can do to help yourself cope with the worry, fear, and distress that the disease causes. We've addressed this in previous posts on how to treat COPD-related anxiety and depression, but in this article we're going to introduce you to a specific kind of treatment: pet therapy.

Compared to other types of therapy, which often focus on unpacking difficult feelings and finding effective strategies to cope, pet therapy is much less intense. Pet therapy, also known as animal-assisted therapy, is more like a soothing technique, although it can be surprisingly effective at reducing anxiety and helping depressed patients improve their mood.

If playing with animals sounds like an appealing COPD treatment to you, there are a variety of ways you can reap the emotional and psychological benefits that companion animals have to offer. In this article, we're going to tell you all about animal-assisted therapy and how it can benefit patients with COPD.

We'll also show you the variety of options available for experiencing pet therapy for yourself, including ideas for seeking out more opportunities to interact with companion animals in your community. Continue reading to learn all about animal-assisted therapy and COPD, and how you can experience the extraordinary healing power of pets.

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What is Pet Therapy?

Photo by Airman 1st Class Joshua D. King

Pet therapy is a type of therapy that uses companion animals to help people with special needs or who suffer from physical diseases, disabilities, or mental illness. Animal-assisted therapy can help people with COPD cope with the difficult emotional and psychological aspects of the disease and help treat other mental conditions, like depression and anxiety, that are caused by COPD.

The idea behind pet therapy is simple: animals make people happy. But studies show that pets can do more than just give you a temporary mood lift; they can be powerful tools for warding off anxiety and depression, and even for physical health.

Pet therapy is a broad term that can include therapy dog programs, animal visits to nursing homes and care centers, owning your own pets, or the therapeutic benefits of interacting with animals in general. Sometimes animal-assisted therapy is facilitated by an individual therapy dog owner, and sometimes it is facilitated by a larger program or organization.

However, you can reap many the same benefits of facilitated pet therapy simply by owning your own pet or interacting with animals in general, both of which can be considered a form of pet therapy.

You are most likely to find facilitated pet therapy programs in hospitals, nursing homes, jails, mental rehabilitation centers, and physical rehabilitation centers. They can sometimes be hard to find outside of these settings, although some do home visits or participate in events that are open to the general public.

If you don't own a pet or have access to facilitated pet therapy, there are several other ways you can find animal companionship in your community. For example, volunteering at an animal shelter or spending time with a neighbor's pet can be a great way to unwind with some relaxing pet therapy.

In these next sections, we'll discuss these options and much more in greater detail. We'll help you understand the benefits and drawbacks of pet therapy and what you can do to access animal-related therapeutic activities and services in your local community.

What are the Benefits of Pet Therapy for People With COPD

Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Jon Cupp

While no studies have tested the effects of pet therapy specifically on people with COPD, research has proven the effectiveness of pet therapy for a variety of other chronic diseases and conditions. There is a solid body of research on pet therapy that shows it can be surprisingly effective for helping people cope with a variety of physical, emotional and psychological problems that commonly affect people with COPD, including chronic pain, loneliness, and anxiety.

One of the best-researched areas of pet therapy, and the area in which it seems be most effective, is using pet therapy to treat anxiety and to help people cope with stress. Pet therapy has been shown to reduce anxiety, fear, and distress for many types of patients, including:

• Cancer patients
• Veterans with PTSD
• Patients with mental illnesses
• Patients with dementia
• People with addictions
• People in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
• Elderly adults, which make up a significant portion of COPD patients.

Pet therapy can also help treat depression, which affects more than one quarter of people with COPD. According to several studies, animal-assisted therapy can cause "significant improvement" in depressive symptoms and in patients suffering from clinical depression.

While you can't expect massive or life-changing improvements from animal-assisted therapy, there is robust research to show that it has noticeable, measurable, and clinically significant effects. Even short periods of pet interaction can measurably improve your mood and stress level; one study, for instance, showed that interacting with a therapy dog for just thirty minutes can lower blood pressure and reduce anxiety.

Pet therapy can also reduce physical ailments like chronic pain, a symptom commonly suffered by people with COPD. For example, one study showed that patients with fibromyalgia experienced significantly decreased pain, decreased emotional distress, decreased fatigue, and improved mood after spending only a short period of time with a therapy dog.

Here is a list of some of the most important benefits you can gain from pet therapy:

• Reduced stress and sensitivity to stressors
• Reduced anxiety
• Enhanced mood
• Increased social interaction
• Reduced loneliness
• Reduced depression
• Decreased blood pressure (in the short term)
• Reduced respiratory rate (in the short term)
• Reduced stress hormones
• Increased quality of life

Facilitated Pet Therapy

Image by Airman st Class Shane M. Phipps

More hospitals, nursing homes, and other physical care facilities are beginning to use therapy dogs and other forms of animal-assisted therapy to help improve happiness, anxiety, and quality of life for their patients. As someone with COPD, you are most likely to have access to facilitated pet therapy in the hospital.

Many hospitals allow therapy dogs to visit patients, and some even house their own animal-assisted therapy groups. If you have COPD, there's a good chance that you will spend some time in the hospital at some point due to an exacerbation or another COPD complication. If you do, you can ask hospital staff if they offer any kind of animal-assisted therapy that you could take advantage of.

Not everyone is lucky enough to get a visit from a therapy dog while in the hospital, but if you do, it can significantly improve your mood and the quality of your stay. If you ever have the opportunity to participate in animal-assisted therapy, you should take it, as long as your doctor says it won't be too risky.

Most of the time, it is difficult to access facilitated pet therapy unless you are residing in a hospital, nursing home, or another long-term care center. However, you may be able to find therapy animals in your area who do home visits or spend time in places that are open to the public.

You could also ask your doctor if there are any animal-assisted therapy programs or events hosted in or near your hospital or medical practice. If they don't offer any kind of pet therapy, you might be able to encourage them to consider utilizing therapy animals in the future.

Service Dogs

Owning your own service dog can confer many of the same benefits of pet therapy while also providing everyday physical support. Service dogs can help patients with COPD in a variety of ways, especially patients who are disabled or suffer from severe limitations in physical mobility.

For example, service dogs can be trained to open doors, retrieve items from the floor, and notify other people nearby if you need help. Having a therapy dog to help with these small tasks can make a big difference in the life of someone with severe COPD.

Therapy dogs can also carry items for you, which reduces your load while walking and allows you to focus your energy on controlling your balance and breathing. If you use supplemental oxygen, you could even use a service dog to carry spare oxygen tanks for you when you're out and about.

And, of course, interacting with a therapy dog on a regular basis can help improve COPD-related stress, anxiety, and depression. The companionship you get from owning a pet, especially a service dog, can also help you feel more confident, less lonely, and more fulfilled in life.

Should You Own Your Own Pet?

You don't need a trained therapy dog or structured animal-assisted therapy to enjoy these improvements in mood, psychological symptoms, and quality of life. Simply owning a pet can confer many of the same benefits as pet therapy.

If you suffer from COPD-related anxiety, depression, or chronic pain, getting a pet can be a huge help for improving your mood and reducing your psychological symptoms. Caring for an animal can also give you a wonderful sense of purpose and belonging, and interacting with your pet on a regular basis can improve both physical and emotional pain.

Owning a pet can also help you establish a healthier, more regular daily routine. For example, it can be helpful if you suffer from depression to have to get up to feed your pet at the same time every morning, or you could use your pet's schedule to help you remember to exercise and take your medications.

For COPD patients, owning a pet can even improve their symptoms by helping them live a more physically active lifestyle. Most pets require exercise and play time, which are great opportunities for people with COPD to get up and moving.

However, there are many reasons why certain people who have COPD cannot or should not own pets. Pets are a major responsibility, and many patients simply don't have the time or energy to take on the task of caring for and cleaning up after a pet.

Another concern is the fact that pets can expose you to extra amounts of allergens and respiratory irritants that could inflame your lungs and make your COPD symptoms worse. Even indoor pets introduce potentially irritating dust and dander into your home, while pets that spend time outside can track in all kinds of pollen, pollution, and other hazardous particles from the outdoors.

Here are some of the things to consider before owning a pet if you have COPD:

• Many animals, especially dogs, require a certain amount of physical activity to care for. If you have very limited mobility or have difficulty walking and exercising because of your COPD, you may not be physically able to take care of a pet that requires regular walks and play time.
  
  
• Pet fur can be a problem if your lungs are sensitive to allergens or airborne particulates. Not only do most pets shed--and some shed a lot--but their fur tends to collect pollen, dust, pollution, and other respiratory irritants that could make your COPD worse.
  
  
• Some people with COPD find it difficult enough to take care of everyday cleaning tasks and responsibilities. If you own a cat or dog, those cleaning tasks and responsibilities will only multiply as you care for and clean up after your pet.
  
  
• If you struggle with exercise or physical tasks you should look for a pet that doesn't require a lot of energy or clean-up, such as a fish, reptile, or bird. If you must get a dog or cat, consider getting a smaller breed that is low maintenance and allergy-friendly.

Luckily, even if you can't own your own pet, you can find many other opportunities for pet therapy if keep your eyes open. In the next section, we'll give you some ideas for how you can find companion animals to interact with in your community, even if you don't have access to a facilitated animal-assisted therapy program.

Taking Pet Therapy Into Your Own Hands

Unfortunately, facilitated pet therapy services aren't as widespread or easy to find as most patients would like. Many pet therapy programs aren't accessible to the general public and only operate in hospitals, nursing homes, and other care centers.

However, there's no need to worry if you are unable to own your own pet or find a pet therapy center near you. Studies show that you don't need a therapy dog or a full-time pet in order reap the benefits of pet therapy; even brief, occasional interactions with animals can have large effects on mood and well-being.

If you wish to own a pet but can't, or simply want to try pet therapy to help you manage your COPD, you can take matters into your own hands and take advantage of opportunities to interact with pets in your local community. That might mean spending more time with your neighbors' pets, volunteering at an animal shelter, or offering to pet sit for friends and family.

Volunteer at an Animal Shelter

Volunteering to help out with pets in need is of the most rewarding ways to interact with animals. That's what makes volunteering at an animal shelter or humane society such a great alternative to facilitated pet therapy.

At an animal shelter, you will have the opportunity to provide comfort and companionship to a variety of different cats and dogs. It can be an extremely rewarding experience because, in addition to helping yourself, you will be making a difference in the lives of animals who don't have a home or family of their own.

You might be wondering what volunteering in an animal shelter looks like and what kinds of activities you can do with the cats and dogs. The answer will depend on your local shelter's policies; however, most shelters allow public volunteers to walk the dogs and spend time playing and interacting with the animals indoors.

Even if you don't have the energy to roughhouse with the animals or take the dogs on long walks, you can still offer to provide quiet companionship to the older or more mellow animal residents. Some volunteers even come to sit and read to the animals from a book, which can be heartwarming and beneficial to both you and the lonely cats and dogs at the shelter, even if they can't understand the words.

Another benefit of volunteering in an animal shelter is the opportunity to see a variety of different kinds of dogs and cats in all breeds, shapes, and sizes. However, since pets are constantly being shuffled in and out of shelters, you might not be able to see the same animals every time.

Borrow Fluffy Companions from Friends and Family

Another alternative if you don't have an animal of your own is to spend more time with pets that belong to your neighbors, family, and friends. That way, you can reap the benefits of spending time with animals without having to invest your time and money into a pet of your own.

All you have to do is let your friends and family know that you could use an occasional pet companion, and ask if any of their pets would be well suited for the cause. There's a good chance that at least one person has a friendly animal and won't mind you dropping by to pay regular visits.

Spending more time in the home with a friend or family member's pet is also an opportunity to get out and socialize a bit more. This can be particularly helpful if you suffer from depression, because it gives you something to look forward to and a reason to get out of bed and out of the house.

If you don't mind the extra commitment, you might even ask the pet's owner if you can borrow their pet every so often for a longer period of time. Caring for a pet over an afternoon or weekend isn't nearly as difficult as caring for a pet full-time, and it will provide even more time for bonding and relaxing.

Be the Go-To Pet Sitter

Another way you can spend more time with pets that aren't your own is by offering to pet sit for friends, family, and neighbors. That way you can get some pet therapy time while doing someone a big favor at the same time.

For example, if someone you know has a friendly pet that they have to leave behind for a vacation or business trip, offer to look after their pet while they are away. Most pet owners would be happy to leave their pet with a caring companion and appreciate the opportunity to save money on pet care.

If you are retired or work a schedule where you are home during the day, you could offer to check in on your neighbors' dogs or cats while they are away at work. That way, you can get regular pet therapy time while also providing companionship to an animal that would otherwise be left home alone all day.

Even though pet sitting requires you to take on more responsibility than simply petting a therapy dog, it's a win-win-win situation for both you, the animal, and the pet's owner. You get the opportunity for even more animal interaction while helping out both the pet and the person who owns it.

Other Opportunities for Animal Interaction

If you are willing to get creative, there are even more ways connect with other pets if you can't own one of your own. If you have a computer with a decent internet connection, you can even do it from your own home.

One option is to spend some time watching animals on the internet, and we're not just talking about cat videos on YouTube. You can actually watch live-action streaming video of adorable animals in zoos, shelters, and other places all across the world. You can even find some animal shelters with live-cams featuring toys that you can twirl or jiggle with a press of a button, allowing you to actually interact with the cats and dogs from your computer screen!

Here are some examples:

• The Houston Zoo has live cameras streaming footage of a variety of animals every day, including gorillas, giraffes, rhinos, elephants, flamingos, and more!
  
  
• This article has a list of interactive webcams that you can use to view and interact with pets at cat and dog shelters and other animal rescue groups. Some have interactive toys, and they're all full of fluffy, adorable pets.
  
  
• MangoLink is a website with links to dozens of live animal webcams all across the world. They have streams of every category of animal you can imagine, including birds, farm animals, insects, reptiles, and fish.

Another option, if you are an animal lover and physically able enough, is to volunteer at a zoo or animal rehabilitation center. Some may allow you to participate in some kinds of animal care or feeding, but you may not able to work directly with the animals. However, you may be able to work near them, and you'll have the satisfaction of knowing that you are working to support their care and well-being.

You can also spend time seeking out wild animals in your local area--from a distance, of course. There are many ways you can spot and observe local wildlife, including hiking, bird-watching, and wildlife tracking. Even just putting a bird or squirrel feeder in your yard can provide you with delightful animal sightings from the comfort of your own home.

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Conclusion

While pet therapy isn't a cure for the emotional hardships that COPD patients face, it can help people with COPD cope with the stress and anxiety of living with a chronic disease. It can also help people who suffer from COPD-related depression, helping them re-connect with the outside world and overcome feelings of loneliness and isolation.

Pet therapy isn't right for everyone, especially those who have allergies to pet dander or who are extremely sensitive to airborne allergens. But if you like animals and don't have

Living with a chronic disease like COPD comes with many challenges, and financial challenges are no exception. Many people who are diagnosed with the disease find themselves blindsided by the high costs of medical equipment, prescription medications, and other necessary treatments.

While Medicare or other insurance providers can cover some of these costs, patients are often still responsible for a large portion of the bill. Many of these costs are rigid and unavoidable, but some can be minimized with a little forethought and research.

Of all of the medical expenses associated with COPD, the cost of medication is one of the most frequent, variable, and burdensome. Fortunately, it's often possible to get discounted prescription medications or payment assistance if you know where to look.

In this article we're going to help you save money by showing you how to find the best prices, discounts, and financial assistance for prescription COPD medications. We know not everyone can afford to pay for their medicine at full-price, and the options on this list can help you reduce the pressure that your disease puts on your budget.

It's difficult enough to handle the emotional and physical hardships of COPD without having to worry about money, too. So if you want to reduce your medical expenses, keep reading to learn about 11 different ways you can save money on prescription medications for COPD.

Go Generic

Many people cannot afford the inflated prices of name-brand medications. Luckily, you can often find off-brand, generic versions of the same medication at a much lower cost.

Although you should always check with your doctor first to be certain, you can rest assured that most generic medications work just as effectively as the more expensive versions. Despite the difference in cost, generic medicines are safe to use and are usually nearly identical to their name-brand counterparts.

All you have to do is talk to your doctor to potentially save a ton of money on your prescription medications. If there is an equivalent generic version of any of your medications available, your doctor will note it on your prescription slip to let the pharmacy know it's okay to use.

Order Your Prescription Online

If you want to save a decent amount of money on your medication, you'll have to look beyond your local pharmacy. Although they might be quick and convenient, brick-and-mortar pharmacies also tend to have the highest prices.

Unfortunately, many people don't realize that they have any other option besides their local pharmacy. In reality, there are dozens or more legitimate online and mail-order retailers that sell prescription medications, too.

However, make sure to research any online pharmacy thoroughly before entrusting it with your prescription. While many are trustworthy, some sites are unreliable, lack quality control, and even sell potentially dangerous counterfeit medications.

Always choose online pharmacies that are based in the United States and look for the “VIPPS” logo. VIPPS stands for “Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Site,” and it's a good indicator of an online pharmacy's safety and legitimacy.

Also look for seals of approval from third-party organizations like the Internet Mail-Order Pharmacy Accredidation Commission (IMPAC), the Manitoba International Pharmacists Association (MIPA) or the Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites (VIPPS). Accreditation from one of these organizations is another good sign that it's a pharmacy you can trust.

You should also avoid any pharmacy website that prices their drugs significantly cheaper than the typical market price because they might be selling dangerous counterfeit drugs. It's a good rule of thumb to assume that if a price seems too good to be true, then it probably is!

If you ask, your doctor or even your insurance provider might be able to recommend a trusted online pharmacy you can use. As long as you do your due diligence and find a legitimately licensed online pharmacy, you should not have to worry about the quality or safety of your medication.

Get a Prescription Discount Card

Prescription discount cards are another option that can significantly reduce the cost of your COPD medication. You can often get these discount cards from your doctor, local pharmacy, and other organizations like AAA. They are also available from a variety of online websites like WebMD and retail stores like Walgreens.

Many people are skeptical of prescription discount cards because they are free and widely available. However, they aren't a scam. All you have to do is scan your discount card at participating pharmacies to get a reduced price for thousands of different prescription drugs.

You can get a prescription discount card whether or not you have private health insurance, but you can only use one or the other to pay for your medication at any given time. However, prescription discount cards can often get you better prices than you can get through private insurance, especially for generic drugs.

To get the best deal, have the pharmacist run both your insurance and prescription discount card before you pay. That way you can see the price of the medication for both options and figure out whether your insurance company or discount card will give you the better deal.

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Apply for a Patient Assistance Program

Did you know that many pharmaceutical companies have their own programs to help patients pay for their medicine? That's right, nearly all of the major drug companies have some sort of financial assistance program for all of their major medications.

These programs are usually called Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs), and they are designed to help low-income patients who cannot afford to pay the full cost of their medication. They offer discounted and sometimes even free medicine to patients who qualify.

Every patient assistance program has its own eligibility requirements that you have to meet in order to get free or discounted medication. While the exact criteria vary from program to program, there are three main requirements that nearly every PAP has:

• Must Have Low Income: You must not make over a certain amount of income to be eligible. The cutoff is usually about two times the federal poverty income level.
  
  
• Must be a US Resident: Most PAPs require you to live in the United States or be a US citizen to qualify.
  
  
• No Outside Prescription Coverage: You usually are not eligible if you are already part of another private or public prescription coverage program. You may not be eligible if you have public or private insurance.

You can usually figure out whether there's a patient assistance program for a drug you take by visiting the pharmaceutical company's website, but the information is sometimes difficult to find. If you need help finding a program that you qualify for, your doctor or pharmacist might be able to help

You can also find online tools that allow you to search through all available patient assistance programs all in one place. These sites make it much easier to find financial assistance programs that you might be eligible for.

All you have to do is search the name of a medication that you've been prescribed, and the site will pull up any and all assistance programs that are available for that drug. Then you will need to fill out an enrollment form, which the pharmaceutical company will then review to determine if you qualify for the program.

Here are a few sites you can visit to search for a patient assistance program that works for you:

• RxAssist
• The Partnership for Prescription Assistance 
• RxHope
• NeedyMeds (This site also includes state-sponsored financial assistance programs in their database.)

Participate in a Clinical Trial

There are still many questions to answer about COPD and new treatments that need be studied. Medical research organizations regularly conduct studies on COPD medications and are often looking for participants to participate in clinical trials.

If you have COPD, you can apply to be part of a clinical trial that needs volunteers with the disease to test new treatments and medications for COPD. While all clinical trials have some risks, most are relatively safe and you will always get a full explanation of the study's risks and benefits before you participate.

There are several benefits you can get from volunteering for a clinical trial, the first being that they will pay for any medications or treatments they give you throughout the course of the study. You might even have the opportunity to try a new treatment before it is widely available to the general public.

Another benefit is the knowledge that you are helping to further scientific research on COPD. The study you take part in could end up leading to new medications, treatments, or drug combinations that could help many other people who have the disease. Some clinical trials also pay hundreds or thousands to compensate participants for their time, too!

To learn more about participating in a clinical trial, visit the National Institutes of Health website. To search for a clinical trial in need of participants, visit clinicaltrials.gov or search for COPD studies on healthline's clinical trial search tool.

Comparison Shop

Although you can get your prescription filled at any pharmacy, not all are equal. Many people don't realize that the prices of different drugs can vary widely between pharmacies, even pharmacies in the same city or on the same street corner.

If you want the best deal, you'll have to price shop to find the local pharmacy with the lowest prices for your medication. To make your search easier, you can use online price comparison tools like GoodRx or LowestMed to find the best local prices for a particular medication.

Get Free Samples

Pharmaceutical companies often advertise their medications by providing boxes of free samples directly to medical practitioners. Many doctors are happy to give some free samples to patients who need short-term doses or can't immediately afford the medication.

Some doctors will give you a couple weeks' worth of free samples if you ask, and they might even give you more if they know you are struggling to afford your meedication. While this is not a permanent solution, it might still save you a decent chunk of cash up front.

Free samples can also hold you off in the short term if you find yourself in a situation where you can't afford a new medication right away. Your doctor might be able to give you an immediate supply of medicine via free samples so that you aren't left un-medicated until you come up with a more permanent solution. This is also useful if you have to wait for medicine from a cheaper online pharmacy to arrive in the mail, since it usually takes at least one month.

Get Longer-term Prescriptions

If you have a medication that you know you'll be needing to take long-term, ask your doctor if you can get a larger prescription. Getting more pills per prescription means fewer trips to the pharmacy, and it also means fewer co-pays.

For example, if you can get a 90-day prescription instead of a 30-day prescription, you'll only have to pay one co-pay. So, instead of paying a separate co-pay every thirty days, you'll only have to pay it once every three months.

Ask Your Pharmacist for a Discount

A pharmacy's “list price” for a medication is usually much higher than the price that most people actually pay. In fact, most pharmacies actually expect patients to make use of coupons and other discounts rather than pay full price.

Whenever you go to pick up a prescription, always ask the pharmacist, “Is this the lowest price you can offer?” Many pharmacists have access to a variety of coupons and discount cards, and most will be happy to look for one that they can apply to your medication. It never hurts to ask, and you might be pleasantly surprised!

Tell Your Doctor About Your Financial Concerns

When doctors prescribe medication and other treatments, they don't always think about the financial burden it puts on their patients. That's why you should always speak up if you're on a budget or if you're worried about the cost of anything your doctor recommends.

If you tell your doctor that a treatment or medication is too expensive, there's a good chance your doctor can help you get a discount or find a cheaper alternative. As we mentioned earlier, many doctors also have access to a limited amount of free samples that they can give away, which can help reduce your costs temporarily.

Doctors understand the huge financial burden that medication can put on their patients, and most are willing to help you find more affordable options when they can. However, your doctor probably won't know you need help if you don't ask, so never be afraid to bring up any financial concerns you have about your treatments or medications.

Other Financial Assistance Programs

We've already talked about patient assistance programs and prescription discount cards, but there are a variety of other nonprofits and other patient advocacy organizations out there that might be able to help you.

Here is a list of several organizations and online tools you can use to find a patient financial assistance program that you are eligible for:

• State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs: This document lists all of the US states that offer financial assistance for patient prescriptions along with links to each specific program. Some programs only apply to people who meet specific criteria: e.g. patients above a certain age, patients with specific diseases, people with disabilities, patients without insurance, etc.
  
  
• Patient Services, Inc.: This organization is dedicated to helping people who are living with chronic illnesses, including certain types of COPD. They provide financial assistance for qualified patients that can include insurance premiums, co-pays, and travel assistance.
  
  
• PAN Foundation: This nonprofit is dedicated to helping people with certain rare and chronic diseases afford the treatments and medications they need by providing financial assistance for insurance deductibles and co-pays. You must have health insurance and make no more than five times the federal poverty level in order to be eligible.
  
  
• The HealthWell Foundation: This is another nonprofit organization that helps under-insured patients with specific chronic and life-altering diseases pay co-pays for the medication and treatments they need. You will need to have health insurance and make no more than five times the federal poverty level in order to be eligible.

Note that many of these are need-based programs or only apply to patients with specific diseases that underlie or co-occur with COPD ( e.g. cystic fibrosis, Alpha-1 Deficiency, or Pulmonary Fibrosis). You might need to have low income or a disability in order to qualify for certain types of assistance.

However, it's worth taking a look and reaching out even if you don't have a disability or can't provide proof of financial need. You'll never know what opportunities are out there for you unless you ask!

Conclusion

Between the cost of hospital visits, medical equipment, and supplemental oxygen rental fees, managing COPD can get very expensive. If you add on to that the price of recurring monthly prescriptions, the cost of treating the disease can get unmanageable fast.

Luckily, with a little research and smart planning, you can usually find a way to get most COPD prescription medications at a discount.

If you are feeling strained under the weight of your medication expenses, don't hesitate to ask your doctor for advice and seek other avenues of support. If you take the time to pursue all the cost-saving opportunities we've discussed in this article, chances are you'll be able to find at least one solution that works for you.

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