Respironics is a company that was founded in 1976 by Gerald E. McGinnis. At first, they primarily focused on sleep apnea products like CPAP machines, but in the early 2000s, they began to branch out and started producing oxygen delivery systems as well. Since their acquisition by Philips in 2008, they’ve been able to expand their oxygen device manufacturing significantly, providing better products and reaching millions of customers around the world.

Some of the most notable Respironics oxygen products include the EverFlo and EverFlo Q stationary oxygen concentrators, the Respironics SImplyGo continuous flow portable oxygen concentrator, and the SimplyGo Mini pulse dose portable oxygen concentrator. Respironics products are known for their outstanding build quality, reliability, and ease of use. Watch the video above as we unbox and review a SimplyGo Mini.

In this post, we’re going to be taking an in-depth look at the Respironics SImplyGo Mini and how it sets itself apart from other concentrators on the market. We understand that trying to find the right concentrator for your needs can be time-consuming and even confusing at times, so be sure to reach out to our oxygen concentrator specialists for a free consultation. We’ll walk you through everything from choosing a device, to obtaining your medical paperwork, and receiving financial compensation through Medicare.

A New Generation of Oxygen Devices

Throughout the history of oxygen therapy devices, healthcare professionals have struggled to find an effective way to provide their patients with the oxygen they need while also helping them maintain their freedom. Oxygen tanks have been used for many decades and they’ve proven to be an effective tool for managing chronic respiratory conditions. However, they’re incredibly difficult to use whether you’re inside the home or outside the home. 

In the 1970s, home oxygen concentrators started hitting the market. The major benefit these devices had over oxygen tanks is that they never needed to be refilled with oxygen. As long as you had a reliable source of power, you would have access to medical-grade oxygen. This was also the biggest disadvantage of home concentrators because you would be unable to leave your home while using them.

The Respironics SimplyGo Mini is part of a new generation of oxygen devices that combines the benefits of oxygen tanks and stationary oxygen concentrators. The SimplyGo Mini is a portable oxygen concentrator meaning it uses the same technology as stationary concentrators but instead of having to be plugged into the wall 24/7, it runs off of powerful lithium-ion batteries that you can take anywhere. It also uses something called pulse dose technology which closely monitors your breathing, administering oxygen at the optimal moment. This results in extended battery life so that you can stay out and about longer.

Meeting the Needs of the Modern Oxygen User

In this day and age, we expect more from our electronic devices. Our cellphones and laptops are smaller, lighter, and more powerful than ever before, so why shouldn’t we expect the same from our oxygen device? The good news is that the SimplyGo Mini fully delivers in every way. This machine weighs in at only 5 pounds making it one of the lightest portable oxygen units currently on the market. And the dimensions are just 9.4” H x 3.6” D x 8.3” W making it no bigger than a small handbag or purse.

What this means for you and other oxygen users is that you can do all of the activities you used to do without feeling like you’re being held back by your oxygen device. Whether you simply enjoy going for a stroll through the park or you want to be able to take a flight across the world, the SimplyGo Mini has got you covered. This machine is approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) meaning you’ll be able to take it on any commercial flight. Just make sure you contact your airline 48 hours in advance to learn about more specific regulations regarding in-flight oxygen use.

Another way that the SimplyGo Mini excels is in terms of battery life. There’s nothing worse than getting out of the house, looking down at your oxygen concentrator, and realizing that you’re almost out of battery power. What this means is that you’ll need to stop whatever you’re doing and rush back home or to the nearest electrical outlet to charge your device. The SimplyGo Mini, however, offers considerable battery life that will allow you to stay out and about longer. 

On a flow setting of 2, you’ll get up to 4.5 hours out of the 8-cell battery and up to 9 hours with the 16-cell battery. For most people, this is more than enough battery life to get through the day. However, if you still need more, you can always purchase an additional battery and keep it in the accessory pouch then just replace the battery that’s on your unit whenever it runs out.

A Simple Design That’s Easy to Operate

Another thing that people expect nowadays are devices that are easy to operate. Life can be complicated enough, so there’s no need to overcomplicate it with an oxygen device that’s difficult to learn and use. From the video above, you’ll see just how easy it is to pull the SimplyGo Mini out of the box and start using it right away. One of the unique features it offers is a full touch interface meaning you won’t have to hassle with any buttons that are difficult to depress. It also makes it a lot easier to clean the device than it would be otherwise.

In order to prevent downtime in your oxygen delivery, Respironics has also made it very easy to swap out batteries on the fly. When your battery starts to run low, simply press the tab and slide the battery off of the side of the unit. You can then slide on a fully charged battery until it clicks into place. This can all be done in a matter of seconds so you can get back to using your oxygen device as quickly as possible.

A Plethora of Oxygen Accessories to Choose From

One of the greatest things about buying a Respironics product is that you can rest assured you will have many accessories to choose from that help you make the most of your purchase. Whenever you purchase a SimplyGo Mini from us, you’ll receive the following items:

• Respironics SimplyGo Mini Portable Oxygen Concentrator
• 8-Cell Battery
• AC Power Supply
• DC Power Supply
• Custom Carrying Case
• Padded Shoulder Strap
• Padded Handle Strap
• Tubing
• Manual
• 3 Year Warranty
  
  

In addition to all of these items, you can purchase a whole host of accessories that are sold separately like the external battery charger. Normally, you would have to charge your batteries when they’re attached to the concentrator, but this accessory allows you to charge them separately. In other words, you’ll be able to charge two batteries at the same time.

Another accessory sold separately is the battery packs. If you’re someone who’s away from home frequently you can always purchase an additional 8-cell or 16-cell battery in order to effectively double your battery life. The SimplyGo Mini accessory bag and backpack are also great options if you want to be able to carry all of your accessories more easily.

Conclusion

While the SimplyGo Mini is one of our top picks as one of the best portable oxygen concentrators, it’s important to find the oxygen device that’s right for you and your needs. That’s why our oxygen concentrator specialists are always on hand to answer any questions you may have about POCs. If you’re not sure where to begin, we’ll guide you through the whole process from choosing a concentrator, to discussing your buying options, and even collecting medical paperwork like your oxygen prescription. Either give us a call at 1-888-416-3855 or reach us by email at info@lptmedical.com to get started.

Respironics SimplyGo Mini Specs:

Oxygen Output

Over 16 million Americans knowingly have COPD, meaning they have been diagnosed with COPD and are currently treating their COPD. The harsh reality for all of these people is the COPD has no cure, this progressive disease will stick with you, and if gone untreated take years off of your life. That being said, treating COPD has been heavily researched, and following a treatment plan for your personal diagnosis will increase your life expectancy.

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This blog is an informative read for anyone who has COPD no matter how severe or mild. It's also a great read for you if you are perfectly healthy and are a caregiver for a COPD patient, or you are just curious about your respiratory health, this blog is a great read for people who are curious about how COPD affects life expectancy.

Treating COPD to Increase Life Expectancy  

The only way someone with COPD can add years to their life is by using oxygen therapy. Oxygen therapy is when you need to use a supplemental oxygen device like a portable oxygen concentrator in order to maintain a healthy oxygen level. Once your oxygen levels are stable, you can begin to treat COPD in other ways that will slow down the progression of the disease and ease the severity of the symptoms.

The symptoms of COPD you you should be treating can be any of the following: 

• Cough 
• Breathlessness 
• Mood swings 
• Fatigue 
• Excess production of mucus

If COPD goes untreated, the consequences are extreme, and if you are reading this blog it is likely that you already know you have COPD, or you are in the process of being diagnosed with COPD. If your case is the latter, getting tested for COPD will be the first step towards treating your symptoms. The longer you wait to get tested, the more time goes by where the progression of your disease worsens at a faster pace due to inadequate treatment. 

Life expectancy is directly related to how you treat COPD, and because this disease does not have a cure, proper treatment is the only fight against time you have when it comes to living with COPD.    

You can treat your symptoms above by following your doctor's recommendations and this will likely include some or all of the following treatments:

• Exercise, try yoga or tai chi for respiratory patients  
• Eat foods that promote respiratory health 
• Join pulmonary rehabilitation courses 
• Follow your oxygen prescription if you have one 
• Use you COPD medications as prescribed 
• Avoid lung irritants such as allergens, pollution, and smoke 
• Stop smoking cigarettes or inhaling secondhand smoke 

Even with treatment COPD symptoms will arise in your daily life, you can learn to deal with symptoms by trying some of the following methods for easing discomfort:

• Breathing techniques can be used to open your airway and increase lung strength, this will help with breathlessness 
• Meditation particle can help your breathing when you experience a COPD exacerbation, it can also help easy anxiety and stressed caused by breathlessness 
• Coughing and clearing techniques can be used daily to removed excess mucus from you airways which can help ease your coughing and breathlessness 

COPD Diagnosis 

First and most importantly, being diagnosed with COPD is a good thing, and this might sound crazy, but you cannot go back in time and change the course of time in which you developed COPD, so being diagnosed is the next best thing. And here is why: Once you have been diagnosed with COPD, your life begins again, you start to take care of the symptoms that have been impacting your life, you start to ease the pain and discomfort by utilizing tools like medications, oxygen therapy devices, and pulmonary rehabilitation courses.

People with COPD are are more likely to experience the following complications compared to someone without it:

• Being limited in physical activity
• Difficulty walking or climbing stairs
• Be unable to work
• Need special equipment like Inogen brand oxygen devices 
• Engages less socially
• Have increased confusion or memory loss
• Have more emergency room visits or overnight hospital stays
• Have other chronic diseases like arthritis, congestive heart failure, diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, or asthma
• Have COPD induced depression or other mental or emotional conditions

There’s No way to Predict the Exact Life Expectancy

The obvious question is, “How long can I live with COPD?” but there is no way to predict the exact life expectancy despite the stage of COPD you are in. That being said, it is known that having this progressive lung disease can shorten your lifespan.

But how much this disease shortens your lifespan depends on your overall health, how you treat the disease on the daily, and whether you have other diseases such as heart disease or diabetes.

What is the GOLD System

COPD effects over 16 million Americans, and research about this disease has a long history and is ongoing. There have been numerous studies that assess the health of someone with COPD all of which have contributed to the GOLD system. 

The most current assessment is to take a spirometry lung function test results and compare that to a person’s symptoms. The result can help predict life expectancy but more accurately guide treatment choices for those with COPD.

The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) is one of the most used systems of classifying COPD and its effect on your health. 

GOLD is made up of an international team of lung health experts who look over current research and produce updated guidelines for doctors to use for testing and treating people with COPD.

Recently, doctors started to use the term “grades” rather than “stages” to assess the degree of severity of the disease. Grading is a way to measure the severity of a person's COPD. It uses the forced expiratory volume (FEV1) to determine the amount of oxygen a person can actively exhale from their lungs in one second, this gives the doctor a rather accurate description of the person’s lung health and allows them to categorize the severity of their COPD.

Based on your FEV1 score, you receive a GOLD grade as follows:

GOLD 1: FEV1 of 80 percent predicted or more

GOLD 2: FEV1 of 50 to 79 percent predicted

GOLD 3: FEV1 of 30 to 49 percent predicted

GOLD 4: FEV1 of less than 30 percent predicted

The second part of the GOLD system is to compare the FEV1 score to the patient's symptoms.  Doctors will analyze your symptoms of dyspnea, or difficulty breathing, and degree and amount of acute exacerbations, which are flare-ups that may require hospitalization.

How these aspects of health compare will categorize people in one of four groups: A, B, C, or D.

Grouping COPD Severity, Examples:

Here are some examples of how COPD patients are put into groups.

1. Patients X experiences no exacerbations or maybe one and they did not require hospitalization in the past year. Their breathing assessment or their FEV1 score was GOLD 1 and the amount they only experience a few symptoms they have would be in group A.

1. Patient Y has had one exacerbation that required hospitalization, or possibly two exacerbations that did or didn’t require hospital admission in the past year. They also scored GOLD 3 and had several breathing symptoms that would be in group C.

Under the most current GOLD guidelines, someone who scored a GOLD Grade 4, Group D, is someone that has the most serious classification of COPD. And they’ll technically have a shorter life expectancy than someone with a label of GOLD Grade 1, Group A.

What is the BODE index

There are other measures that can be taken to determine the severity of COPD by using more than just the FEV1, it is called the BODE index. 

BODE stands for:

B - body mass

O - airflow obstruction

D- dyspnea

E - exercise capacity

This is a measure of the overall way COPD affects your life. Keep in mind that while the BODE index is used by some doctors, its value or meaning behind the results may be less accurate than what it was once considered due to the amount we know about the disease now.

Body mass

By looking at you body mass index (BMI), a measurement based on your on height and weight, it can be known if you are overweight or obese, or too thin. Someone who is very thin and has COPD has a lower outlook. 

Airflow obstruction

This refers to the FEV1, which is the same test as in the GOLD system that you read in the section above.

Dyspnea

Having trouble breathing is something that can be noted in order to assume the outlook for someone with COPD.

Exercise capacity

Being more tolerant of exercise and having the ability to be physically active suggest you have a better outlook. It’s often measured by a test called the “6-minute walk test.”

Mortality Rates in COPD Patients

COPD is a serious disease and similarly to cancer, the predicted life expectancy is based largely on the severity or stage of the disease which for COPD can be estimated using the GOLD system or BODE.

One of the best ways to explain the mortality rate in COPD is to give an example:

In study that was in the International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, a 65-year-old man with COPD who currently smokes tobacco has the following reductions in life expectancy, depending on stage of COPD:

GOLD 1: 0.3 years

GOLD 2: 2.2 years

GOLD 3 or 4: 5.8 years

For this same group, if the 65 year-old man were to continue smoking they would be reducing thier life expectancy by an additional 3.5 years, rather than those who never smoked and didn’t have lung disease.

For former smokers, the reduction in life expectancy from COPD is:

GOLD 2: 1.4 years

GOLD 3 or 4: 5.6 years

This is just one article that was published and while there is a lot of research on this subject, the mortality rate for COPD patients is still just an estimate. 

Continue Treating COPD for the Best Outlook 

What’s the goal of these methods to predict life expectancy? The more you are able to treat your disease the slower you will progress to a higher grade of COPD.

The first step towards slowing down the progression of COPD is to stop smoking if you smoke. Also, avoid secondhand smoke or other irritants such as air pollution, dust, or chemicals.

Maintaining a healthy weight and eating small, frequent meals can help your breathing immensely. Learning how to improve breathing with exercises such as pursed lip breathing will also help.

Pulmonary rehabilitation program is another great way to learn about your disease as well as how you can implement exercise into your life safely and effectively, all while connecting with other people that can relate to your health condition.

One of the very best things you can do for you lung health is to exercise, and while physical activity may be challenging it really helps your lungs and the rest of your body.

The bottomline is that, the more you can do to improve your overall health, the longer and fuller your life can be.

Dealing with equipment issues as a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patient is just a part of the process. The equipment can be the most top of the line quality and you still may have malfunctions or trouble getting the equipment to work within your lifestyle.

The truth of the matter is that, once you start to use equipment to help you treat symptoms associated with COPD your lifestyle will be affected. Whether this is in a positive way or a negative way will depend on the equipment you have, and how well you know how to use it.

It is important to learn how to use your equipment correctly as well as know how to troubleshoot issues associated with the equipment. 

COPD Equipment

There are therapies you rely on every day to help you breathe. There are a variety of medical devices from inhalers to oxygen concentrators that are designed to treat symptoms associated with COPD either by giving you additional oxygen supply or medication. 

Therapies like these allow you to live better with COPD than if you were to live without them, but using the equipment and taking medication everyday does require a bit of a learning curve. 

Take the time to learn about all of the common devices prescribed for COPD plus info on how they work in this blog.

In this blog you will learn about portable oxygen concentrators and how to troubleshoot common problems users have with these devices. We will also talk about common problems people have with oxygen tanks, both liquid and compressed oxygen. 

Inhalers are a common form of medication for people with COPD, to use these effectively is important so you get the right dosage of medication, we will discuss how to use your inhalers properly. 

Beyond inhalers and supplemental oxygen we will also talk about how to use and take advantage of other common COPD equipment!

Supplemental Oxygen 

Supplemental O2: Compressed Oxygen

Even though there are more modern and sleeker forms of oxygen therapy nowadays, when people think of “supplemental oxygen”, the cylindrical metal-tank system typically comes to mind. 

The oxygen from this tank is delivered through a thin plastic hose attached to a cannula. These cylindrical tanks come in various sizes, depending on the amount of oxygen you need. 

Your doctor will prescribe you the most beneficial amount of oxygen by giving you a flow rate to set your oxygen device. 

It is important for your healthcare team to show you how to adjust gauges on the tank to control the oxygen flow rate, it is common for you to need to adjust the “flow rate” depending on your activity status. 

You will also need a system to refill the tanks whether you get new tanks delivered weekly from a supply company, or have someone come to refill the tanks. 

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Streamlining the process of getting your oxygen tanks refilled is challenging because you are dependent and at the will of the oxygen supply companies. Having patiences but also having a full back-up canister is crucial here. Running low on oxygen is a stressful situation you should try to avoid at all costs. 

Supplemental O2: Liquid Oxygen

The benefit of a liquid oxygen system is that it doesn't need to be plugged in because it doesn't run off of electricity or batteries, however, it is not the easiest form of supplemental oxygen therapy because it must be refilled, and in doing so it must be handled with caution. 

Liquid oxygen is extremely cold— 200 degrees Fahrenheit— it can burn your skin if you’re not careful while handling the equipment for refilling.

Oxygen must be compressed and cooled to a level that it becomes highly concentrated oxygen that you are able to breath in and process in your body easily.

 It is likely you will have a stationary storage unit that is a large reservoir of oxygen and a different smaller portable container to bring when you’re moving around. 

To streamline this process, you will have to get very good at refilling your portable oxygen canisters, and maintaining sustainable levels of oxygen in the reservoir so you never run low on oxygen. This will require a relationship with an oxygen supply company for deliveries and refills. 

Supplemental O2: Oxygen Concentrator

If you are an active person, a traveler, independent, or simply enjoy user-friendly equipment you will need a portable oxygen concentrator as your supplemental oxygen therapy device.

A new generation of lightweight, portable oxygen concentrators, like the Inogen One G5 and the Caire Freestyle Comfort among others, have made it possible to have an active life while using oxygen support like never before.

An oxygen concentrator draws in air from the room around you, purifies it, compresses it, stores it in a tank, then delivers the fresh air via cannula to your waiting lungs. It sounds like a big job for a small compact device! And it is! 

Modern technology has allowed for oxygen manufacturers like Inogen to create small lightweight oxygen devices with batteries to last for hours! Meaning you can carry your device with you whenever you go, and simply charge the device as you would a cell phone so you never run low on oxygen. 

There are now smaller, more compact portable oxygen concentrators that also have powerful pulse flow settings and long lasting battery life. The rechargeable batteries make it easy to use your device all day and night. 

Inhalers

One of the very first things your doctor prescribed to you once you were diagnosed with COPD was some prescription medications to help you manage your symptoms. 

There are two types of inhalers that are most common for COPD management, one for daily maintenance meds and another “rescue” inhaler for symptom flare-ups. 

Inhaled bronchodilators, for example, work to open airways for easier breathing as needed or long-term, while corticosteroids are used to fight airway inflammation.

How to Use your Inhaler properly

Every inhaler comes with its own instructions. In general, here’s how to use one:

1. Remove the cap from the inhaler.
2. With the mouthpiece facing down, shake the inhaler for about five seconds to mix the medicine.
3. Then use one of these techniques:
1. Open-mouth technique: Hold the mouthpiece 1 1/2 to 2 inches from your mouth.
2. Closed-mouth technique: Put the mouthpiece between your lips and close your lips tightly around it.
4. With a spacer: Place the MDI inside the spacer and close your lips around the spacer.
5. Gently breathe out.
6. Press the inhaler and, at the same time, take a deep breath in through your mouth. Keep breathing in for 3 to 5 seconds.
7. Hold your breath for 5 to 10 seconds to get the medicine into your airways.
8. Relax and breathe out slowly.
9. Repeat the process if you need more puffs of the medicine.

Benefits of Inhalers 

They are easy to use and can be used with many different types of COPD drugs, including steroids, bronchodilators, and combination medicines. You also get the same dose of medicine each time you use them.

Drawbacks of Inhalers 

require you to coordinate between activating the medicine and breathing it in. It’s also necessary that you breathe in slowly and deeply. If you breathe in too quickly, the medicine will hit the back of your throat, and much of it won’t reach your lungs. You may also need to use a spacer to get the medicine into your lungs.

Nebulizers

Nebulizer can be an easier option for people with COPD who find it difficult to take their meds via inhaler.

Nebulizers are machines that convert liquid medicine into a mist. The drug particles are contained in tiny aerosol droplets inside this mist, which you can then inhale through a mouthpiece or mask.

A great advantage of a nebulizer is that it gets the medication deep into your lungs where it's needed most. 

For nebulizers to work, you must use it correctly, however patients with COPD using nebulisers at home experienced problems functioning these devices. Talk to your healthcare team and be sure they are effectively supporting you in the use of your nebulisers at home.

Smartphone Apps

COPD patients can use their smartphones as educational sources and use it to help  monitor your COPD symptoms. Your phone is able to alert you when you are experiencing exacerbations that might warrant a call to your pulmonologist. 

There are apps you can download that offer a daily questionnaire to rate your symptoms.

You can also check local air quality to avoid airborne irritants via the Environmental Protection Agency’s AirNow app.

CPAP or BiPAP

Often used to treat sleep apnea, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and bi-level positive airway pressure (BiPAP) machines open your airways for better breathing normally while you are sleeping. 

Both a CPAP and BiPAP device have a mask that is applied over your face. Then  pressure is supplied to open up your airways. 

A CPAP machine delivers constant pressure, this pressure can be changed when you aren’t using the device. Most patients require between 6 and 14 cmH20 and the average setting is 10 cmH20, however, the setting you use will depend entirely on your condition and the setting that your doctor prescribes. 

It’s also important to note that every CPAP machine has different capabilities, so you’ll want to make sure it meets your needs before purchasing it.

A BiPAP machine is less common than the CPAP, and it has two different pressure settings: one for inhalation and one for exhalation. The BiPAP machine will automatically detect whether you’re inhaling or exhaling and administer the pressure accordingly. Typically, a higher pressure will be applied when you’re inhaling.

Mucus-Loosening Devices

Mucus build up is a common symptom of COPD. It can affect your breathing by clogging your airways, and it can also induce an uncontrollable cough that lasts the day and night.

A high-frequency chest wall oscillator is an inflatable vest that massages your chest wall to loosen the excess mucus. This will  help you cough out the mucus while also using proper coughing and clearing techniques. 

Positive expiratory pressure therapy (PEP) is another method to clear mucus. PEP is where you inhale through a mouthpiece, then exhale against a one-way valve that provides resistance. This creates a pressure in your airways to move up mucus. 

Overview 

We hope that you learned about the equipment that you, as a COPD patient, may need. 

A lot of equipment you will need to use everyday, and having the best equipment that you also know how to use is very important for managing this chronic disease. 

For instance, a portable oxygen concentrator will be your companion for the rest of your life, therefore it should be reliable and easy to use! Call 1+(800)-946-1201 if you are in the market for a new oxygen device! 

Speak with your healthcare team about the other equipment you use, and make sure you are reaping the benefits of the medications and other management tools in your COPD treatment routine!

Flu season is just about in full swing here in the northern hemisphere. October through March are the coldest months of the year, creating a viable environment for the flu virus to spread and infect peoples' immune systems. Many people are wondering if they should get a flu shot this year, and you might be curious about the same thing.

Considering the state of the world, and our continued efforts to mitigate, manage, and survive the COVID-19 pandemic, some people may be hesitant to get a flu shot this season, especially those who are immunocompromised and ones with pre-existing conditions.

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However, catching the common flu can be just as scary and harmful as catching COIVD-19 for people who suffer from COPD and other respiratory illnesses. So the flu vaccine is imperative for people who are trying to stay away from the hospital this season, and to help minimize their impact on the already influx of hospital admissions due to COVID-19.

It is also concerning for healthcare workers and infrastructures going into this flu season because the flu and COVID-19 have similar symptoms and oftentimes, cases require similar equipment from hospitals and health labs, which makes the COVID-19 pandemic during another flu season even more concerning.

As one of the leading local medical oxygen equipment company in Boca, Raton Florida and a long-time established medical equipment company in Denver, CO, we are dedicated to keeping our communities safe and protected while we continue to offer our customers alternative oxygen therapy devices.

In this article we are going to talk about the flu vaccines, and why it is so important for our community of respiratory patients and COPD caregivers to get a flu shot this season. We will answer a few questions that will clear up any uncertainties about getting the flu vaccine. If you use a portable oxygen concentrator, you already have an advantage in staying healthy throughout the flu season, but getting a flu shot is still 

But first, we want to give some of our reader the local web-pages where the Center for Disease Control (CDC) tracks the flu season in a particular area weekly. You can stay up to date about the severity of the flu in your state, simply by clicking on the state you live in on this map:

Here is the Florida Flu Review

Here is the Colorado Flu Review

COPD and the Flu

If you have COPD, preventing acute exacerbations is crucial to reduce your disease severity and to prevent and slow down COPD progression. Avoiding exacerbations also means reducing the frequency of hospitalizations, and other high costs associated with the illness. Habits such as smoking, illnesses like bronchiectasis, factors including severe airflow limitation, and lastly infection are all identified as exacerbation triggers for people with COPD.

In order to avoid the misfortunes of dealing with a COPD exacerbation, and to limit both the short and long term effects, means getting your annual flu vaccine, and sooner rather than later.

Limiting your potential to catch influenza as a COPD patient is important, so you must wash your hands, avoid large crowds, disinfect often, exercise, sleep well, and most importantly get the flu vaccine. We know there are some hesitations when it comes to vaccination, so we gathered a few of the most frequently asked questions, so you feel confident getting you flu shot this year, and every year afterwards.

What is the flu vaccine? Why do I need one every year?

The flu vaccine can be taken as a shot that is injected into your arm or the flu nasal spray (which is not available every year). The vaccine is new every year, because the nature of viruses is how they quickly adapt and change in order to survive, therefore the vaccine must stay up to date with the newest most invasive virus strains.

The flu shot is a dead virus, when you get a shot your immune system creates the antibodies against the dead viruses, and your antibodies are able to protect you from being infected by the live virus.

When is the best time to get vaccinated?

There is no bad time to get vaccinated, but October-December is when the flu season starts to pick up, and getting the shot within this window will protect you through the flu season. Earlier is great too.

Even if it seems too late to get the flu shot, remember that if you’re being offered the flu shot, it’s because there’s the flu virus is still around. So definitely don’t hesitate if you have the opportunity to get the vaccine.

How is the flu vaccine made every year?

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In order to keep track of the changing viruses, flu experts around the world within more than 100 influenza centers around the world research the different flu variations,. They go through intensive experiments to identify which strain will be the most common in a given season. Whichever strain they find to be the prevalent, will determine the flu vaccines “ingredients” that year.

This research process helps create a flu vaccine that’s specific to the common flu strains expected that winter, however it is not always a perfect science. This is why some years the vaccine will protect against the flu more effectively than other years.

Some years the vaccine does not provide your antibodies with the correct protections for your immune system to combat the virus, in which case the flu season will be worse overall.

Is it possible to get the flu from the flu vaccine?

This is probably one of the more frequent and concerning questions that people commonly mis-understand. This is cause for concern because mis-information can lead to less and less people getting the flu vaccine.

There are a lot of people who would argue that there is no point in getting the flu vaccine, and the strongest defense against the flu, are healthy habits like washing your hands, eating healthy, sleeping more, and exercise, which might be true for young adults in good shape with no health conditions.

However, people who suffer from a chronic illness, autoimmune disease, and people in poor health should try to practice these healthy habits, but also get the flu vaccines.

The bottomline is that, the flu shot is an inactivated or “killed” virus, which means you can’t get sick from the shot. The flu shot is a dead virus, when you get a shot your immune system creates the antibodies against the dead viruses, and your antibodies are able to protect you from being infected by the live virus.

The nasal spray flu vaccine does contain a weakened live virus — but it is not strong enough to cause the flu for most people.

However, like we mentioned before, sometimes the strain of the flu vaccine does not protect against that winter’s particular virus strain perfectly. That being said, for those who are vaccinated against flu and still get the flu, their symptoms are typically milder due to their vaccination.

Are there side effects from the flu vaccine?

While the flu vaccine cannot give you the flu, it can cause a few symptoms. The most common side effects are tenderness, redness, or a bit of swelling at the injection site.

You might not experience any of these symptoms but you can prepare to experience a few days of muscle soreness in whichever arm you get the vaccine, so you can opt to get the shot in your non-dominant arm.

It’s also possible to develop a low-grade fever, headache, or nausea, but these symptoms should go away within a couple days.

The nasal spray flu vaccine could also cause a runny nose, sore throat, and cough, however serious adverse effects are not common. In fact the risks you take to get a vaccine are far lower than the risks you’d run from getting the flu itself.

You should contact your doctor if you experience a high fever or signs of a severe allergic reaction like difficulty breathing, dizziness, or a rapid heartbeat. These types of reactions would most likely happen within a few minutes to hours after getting the vaccine, and can be treated with medical attention.

Are allergic reactions to the flu shot common?

Some people do have an egg allergy, and if you have a severe allergic reaction to eggs, you should avoid flu vaccination. If you’re mildly allergic, talk to your doctor because you still might qualify for the vaccine.

If you have a mercury allergy you shouldn’t get the shot either. Some flu vaccines contain trace amounts of mercury to prevent vaccine contamination.

If I got sick from the flu vaccine before, should I get one again?

Many types of viruses can cause cold and flu-like symptoms, but the flu shot only protects against the influenza virus, which is the common flu that we all try to avoid come winter because it is the most severe. It may be possible that you catch a different virus that the vaccine does not protect against, but you can rest assured that the virus you caught is much less severe than the influenza virus you might have caught without the flu vaccine.

Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself and the ones you love from influenza. While you cannot get influenza from a flu shot, it is not rare to feel a little under the weather after receiving it. This only means that your immune system is responding to the vaccine, and it is actually a good thing.

How do you get vaccinated without using a needle?

There is a flu mist nasal vaccine. The difference between the shot and the nasal spray is that the flu nasal spray vaccine is a live "weakened" virus, while the shot is a “dead” virus. The nasal spray is a severely weakened virus that will cause a small brief infection in your nasal passages but most people don’t even notice it.

If you have a condition that affects your immune system may not be able to take the nasal spray because it is a live virus and it may cause you to get ill. The flu nasal spray has been approved for healthy people ages 2 through 49 years old.

There is also a CDC-approved list of people who shouldn’t get the live flu nasal spray vaccine.

How do I get vaccinated if I don’t have health insurance?

This is a serious question, and just because you don’t have insurance doesn’t mean you are not able to get a flu shot. You have a few options. You can pay out of pocket, in most places a flu shot will cost about $40, and slightly more for the senior dose.

Before you pay out of pocket, you can research websites like Blink Health or GoodRx and try to find discounts for vaccines available in your area. For example, if you live in Boca Raton, FL flu shots will be available at a pharmacy near you, to find one you can type you can your zip code into VaccineFinder.

Sometimes there are ways that you can get a free or discounted flu shot. Some schools and workplaces will hold events to offer a flu shot to members within their communities. For instance, in Boca Raton, Florida the Boca Helping Hands mission took place in partnerships with Walgreens and the Boca Raton Regional Hospital to off free flu shots to clients, volunteers and staff that are eligible to receive them.

Overview

The flu shot is an essential societal duty that everyone should partake in to help protect themselves and the people around them from the common flu. Even if you are a perfectly healthy adult, getting the flu might not seem like a very big deal, and you might miss a couple days off work. But for a super healthy person to spread the flu to others greatly increases the chances of a a chronically ill patient coming down with the flu, this is a far bigger deal.

People with COPD are often times hospitalized because they caught the flu and have severe COPD symptoms, or even an exacerbation as a result. If you have COPD be sure that the people in your life that you interact with have gotten the flu vaccine for your own sake, and if you haven't gotten vaccinated yet, be sure to schedule an appointment at you doctor or local pharmacy to get a flu shot as soon as possible.

For more expert advice about the flu shot, you can click here to read this HealthLine article, that touches on even more topics so you feel confident going in for a flu shot every year.

There are a lot of misleading resources and misinformation circulating the media about how COVID-19 is affecting humans and to what degree. If you are seeking information about the virus causing COVID-19 it is hard to know what information you can trust and what to be skeptical about.

In the scientific community, recommendations change as evidence becomes more widely available due to new studies and tests, proving anything to be one way or the other takes a lot of time and resources. There have been multiple coronaviruses, but the particular strand that causes COVID-19 is new and there is limited data scientists and medical professionals have at the moment. Therefore, you should be more cautious and play it safe rather than sorry, until more conclusive data is available.

Now, If you have COPD or other underlying health conditions, simply catching the common flu or a mild cold can cause a flare-up, severe symptoms, and hospitalization. Therefore, the spread of a new virus, and one so unprecedented, like the coronavirus causing COVID-19, is much more alarming for you.

This article we are looking into 6 of the myths and other misleading information about the novel coronavirus. However, the outcomes of theses myths can affect people with COPD and other underlying conditions very differently than a healthy person. So we have added other precautions and simple solutions for people with COPD to deal with the myths surrounding COVID-19.

Do Masks Cause Low Oxygen Levels?

There are a lot of misleading resources and general information circulating regarding the use of masks to decrease transmission of COVID-19.

The simple answer is: No “Absolutely not”, says the American Lung Association. But it is not that simple if you have COPD…

Should people with lung diseases wear a mask?

COVID-19 is primarily contracted when people interact and transmit respiratory spray. While peer-reviewed research regarding mask use is limited, the data so far supports wearing a mask is a key public health measure to decrease the virus spreading.

Therefore, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone even those with lung diseases and trouble breathing should wear masks to cover their mouths and nose to help protect others from their own respiratory spray when they cough, sneeze or talk.

Doctors and nurses all wear masks everyday, they are designed to be breathable so there is no evidence that low oxygen levels occur, however it is undeniable that they are not easy to breath when you wear one.

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So what about people with COPD and other lung ailments, who already struggle with getting enough oxygen with each breath they take even before putting on a mask?

There is some evidence that prolonged use of N-95 masks in patients with preexisting lung disease could cause some build-up of carbon dioxide levels in the body. If you have preexisting lung problems should discuss mask wearing concerns with their health care providers.

If you have COPD or asthma, do not use N-95 respirators. First of all, they should be reserved for health care workers who really need them. The N-95 masks are the most effective at blocking virus particles compared to the function of different kinds of masks, but they’re also more difficult to breathe through.

The CDC currently recommends that most people choose to wear cloth face coverings rather than N-95 masks or surgical masks when venturing into public spaces.

If you have COPD, look for a mask that is made of a moisture-wicking and breathable fabric. If you’re having an extremely hard time breathing, try using a bandana or neck gaitor. These alternatives are more breathable since they are open at the bottom, but still provide a protective barrier

Despite how uncomfortable it is, make sure it covers your nose and mouth.

If you use portable supplemental oxygen, you should wear a large mask that can fully cover your mouth, nose, and tubing. To avoid having your oxygen cannulas and the straps of your mask behind your ears, you can get a mask that straps around the back of your head and neck. These are much more comfortable than the strings pulling on your ears.

Are people with underlying conditions (COPD & Asthma) more susceptible to catching COVID-19?

No. People with underlying conditions do not catch COVID-19 more often than someone who is generally healthy.

That being said, many people who contract COVID-19 have very mild symptoms and can handle the virus as they would the common flu, while others do not experience symptoms at all.

Therefore, people with COPD, Asthma, and other conditions are at a higher risk of experiencing severe complications and symptoms if you get COVID-19. Therefore it is important you follow social distancing advice particularly carefully, as well as other precautions recommended by viral excerpts and scientists.

The other best way to avoid catching COIVD-19 is to continue self-managing your condition well. Keep up with your COPD diet, your exercise program, and your oxygen therapy. All of these daily treatments will keep your COPD from progressing into a more severe state, and these measures will also help reduce the likelihood of you needing to go to the hospital due to a COPD flare-up or complication.

Will ordering products to be delivered to your home put you at a higher risk of catching COVID-19?

Again the simple answer is no, and often reliable sources say that it is safer to get your groceries delivered than it is to go out in public to grocery stores. Researchers are questioning how COVID-19 infects people, and the World Health Organization (WHO) says that the likelihood of becoming infected with COVID-19 from a commercial package is low since it has likely traveled over several days and been exposed to different temperatures and conditions during transit.

If you have COPD or asthma, the answer is not this simple. It’s not certain how long the COVID-19 virus survives on surfaces, but according to the World Health Organization, the virus seems to behave like other coronaviruses. Studies suggest that coronaviruses in general may live on surfaces for a few hours or up to several days. It also varies under different environments and the surfaces, temperature, and humidity.

So if you are at risk of developing life threatening symptoms due to the novel coronavirus, it is best to play it safe when handling all of your packages and deliveries, even if they have been in transit for a few days.

If you use oxygen tanks, liquid or compressed oxygen, you may have already been having your oxygen tanks delivered and the empty tanks taken away, sometimes multiple times per week.

This is obviously something that you should consider avoiding if possible. While we all would hope that a medical-grade oxygen refill company would take every precaution necessary while delivering oxygen to respiratory patients, there is no way to know for certain everything has been disinfected.

If the delivery person is coming into your home giving you the new oxygen tanks and taking away the old ones, it is their responsibility to make sure that they are not experiencing any symptoms or have been in contact with anyone who has. Unfortunately, some people do not experience symptoms but can spread the virus if they have it, so the delivery person may not be aware that they are spreading a virus or other ailments into people’s homes.

In order to avoid the spread of COVID-19, there is no better time to purchase your own portable oxygen concentrator (POC). The best part about buying a POC now rather than later, is the earlier you can start living without worrying about running out of oxygen. Your POC takes air from the surrounding area and produces medical-grade oxygen 24/7.

Should people with standing healthcare appointments see their medical offices where patients infected with COVID-19 may be present?

It is easy for people who are healthy to cancel their check-ups and yearly examinations. These people should opt to have their appointments over the phone, online, or via video-chat in order to not only avoid COVID-19 infections, but also relieve some of the staff.

If you have severe COPD or if you experience an exacerbation, you should go to the hospital or call 911. All hospitals and facilities are doing their best to separate suspected COVID-19 patients from other patients, and many are separating expecting COVID-19 patients by floors and hallways. So, if you do need to go to the hospital for symptoms related to your pre-existing condition you will likely be far-removed from anyone going to the hospital with COVID-19.

That being said, if you can avoid going to your regular pulmonary rehabilitation course, and other appointments that can be done at home online and over the phone, do that.

Is the public water supply contaminated with COVID-19?

The COVID-19 virus has not been detected in any drinking-water supplies and based on current evidence, the risk to water supplies is low and Americans can continue to use and drink water from their tap as usual. In fact, the water treatment facilities often protect you from pathogens.

Is it true that ventilators treating patients with COVID-19 are lifesaving in the short run, but can cause pneumonia or lung damage and more permanent harm in the long-run?

While ventilator-associated lung injury is a risk—particularly with patients who are intubated with certain respiratory diseases, there are a few reason doctors and medical would employ these life saving measures on COVID-19 patients.

Here are some important things to remember:

1. Over-all, patients intubated in these circumstances would almost certainly die without the ventilator.
2. Doctors and other medical staff have been trained and learned a great deal in recent years about how to reduce the risk of ventilator-associated lung injury. Utilizing these methods will significantly reduce the risk.
3. Ventilator-associated pneumonia does occur, but the risk is low compared to the risk of treating these particular patients without a ventilator.

So what does this mean for people with COPD?

It is accurate to state there are risks when patients are intubated, particularly for long periods like COVID-19 patients, however the benefit far exceeds the risks, unfortunately this is not the case in patients with COPD or other pre-existing lung conditions.

The best thing you can do is take all of the preventative measures you can in order to avoid catching the coronavirus causing COVID-19. Some of the measures we have not discussed in detail are:

• Continuing to take all of your medications
• Having an extra supply of medication stocked
• Exercise in your home or outside where there are not many people around
• Maintain or start a lung and heart healthy diet
• Stay in touch with others: friends family, and COPD support groups

These are uncertain and unpredictable times. Any advice about positively may come up short, and that is completely normal. Do not be too hard of yourself, and try to remember that you are not alone, everyone is facing their own struggles financially, fighting for their health, and/or living in fear.

You should be weary of all of the recommendations regarding COVID-19 that you find on the internet. Always search for the source of the data and certify all of the information you read with a few other creditable sources. After engaging with that material, see if there are extra precautions someone with COPD or respiratory illness should be aware of, because sometimes the advice is geared towards the healthiest people.

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Ultimately you should continue to wear your mask, but limit the amount of situations where you need to in order to avoid added shortness of breath. Go to the hospital or emergency room if you experience severe symptoms or an exacerbations, but avoid routine visits and opt for a phone-call or video-chat . If you can, think about trading in your oxygen tank for a POC to avoid oxygen re-fill deliveries every week. Switching to a POC will limit your exposure to people and foreign surfaces because you will always have oxygen when you need it. This will also give you a new sense of independence and freedom, something we all would benefit from right now.

It is crucial that you continue to slow down the progression of your COPD, because this global pandemic will not last forever, and once there is a vaccine, you will want you body and lungs to feel capable for their next endeavor, weather that be traveling to see you grandkids, or enjoying a evening stroll with your neighbors.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a progressive lung disease. COPD is an umbrella term for diseases like emphysema and chronic bronchitis. COPD comes in stages with stage one being mild and four being the very last stage. There is a need to improve the quality of life and slow down progression into subsequent stages.

To do this, it is imperative that a patient goes through pulmonary rehabilitation. This program arms you with the necessary skills to participate in everyday activities without a struggle by teaching you how to properly exercise and diet among other important aspects.

You will also learn breathing techniques and how to get the most out of your inhalers among other useful tidbits.The result of attending pulmonary rehab is less frequent and shorter periods of hospitalization. Faster recovery after exacerbation has also been noted. The exercise is good for consequent anxiety and depression due to the production of endorphins. The program, if ordered by a doctor will be covered by medical insurance.

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Exercise

Physical activity can be strenuous for a person with COPD. They will often suffer shortness of breath after a short walk and other simple activities.This is because the disease decreases lung function and weakens respiratory muscles. The program arms the patient with tips on how to exercise successfully.

With time, the patient is able to tolerate more activity that is physical. It is advisable that a patient starts small, then gradually increases the intensity of exercise. A good exercise has three parts: a warm up, conditioning and a cool down. The warm up prepares the body for the impending calorie burn. It also prevents muscle injury and increases range of motion.

The conditioning stage is where the party truly starts. In this stage, cardiovascular exercises like walking, jogging, water aerobics, cycling and jumping rope will be good. The cool down can last five minutes and stretching would be enough to allow the body recovery time.

General exercise guidelines may be followed. Like not exercising less than one and half hours after a meal. It is advisable to exercise in the morning because that is when the body is at its peak. Exercise for twenty minutes a day, three times a week is a good place to start. The patient is advised to exhale twice as often as they inhale through pursed lips.

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Stop Smoking

It is estimated that 10-15% of smokers will develop COPD. After cessation, the difference can be felt within 24 hours. Improvement on blood pressure and heart rate is significant.

In a year, cardiovascular events are less probable by half. Naturally, lung function declines with age. Smoking heightens the rate. To reduce the progress of COPD into advanced stages, a patient should stay away from the cloud permanently.

This is the number one way to modify the natural course of COPD. Studies have shown that women gain the most from tobacco treatment than men. This is not deterrent though as both parties do enjoy a reduced rate of decline of lung function.

What to Eat

After metabolism, the body gains energy and carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide is waste. COPD patients use a lot more energy when breathing and therefore need up to ten times more calories in their diet.

A prescribed diet will keep the weight optimal. Too much weight will put pressure on the lungs and respiratory muscles. Too little weight will make the patient frail and weak.

A good diet also helps long term bronchodilators work better and reduces the use of rescue medication. One should take plenty of fluids to keep the mucus thin and easy to cough up. Mucus will block airways and cause exacerbation.

Patients should not overeat and should opt for more frequent and smaller meals instead of the traditional three meals. High fiber foods are also recommended. It is important that a patient exercise sodium control. Before using other salt supplements, they should consult. The same applies to alcohol intake. They should take smaller bites to ease breathing and eat while sitting up.

Arsenal of Information

The quality of life of a COPD patient can be significantly influenced by their self-management capabilities. The only way for patients to manage themselves successfully is to have a lot of information about their condition. The program also avails the same information to family members. This ensures that proper care is taken and exacerbations are attended to appropriately.

Often, sleeping position might affect breathing. This can be quite alarming but after going through the program a patient will know that all they have to do is sleep on their side with the head elevated to keep airflow smooth. Patients are also made aware of trials like those involving use of stem cells to repair damaged lungs.

Support

Living everyday knowing that something as minute as strong cologne might set off an exacerbation and quite possibly death is depressing and soul crashing. It is easy to just curl up and wait for death. In addition to medical support, patients will often need emotional and psychological help. There are many blogs where people post their stories and words of encouragement for those on the same COPD boat.

There are also support groups where one can find solace for the bad days. The pulmonary rehabilitation program will direct the patient to these. They will also connect them with excellent COPD specialists. Support might not heal the disease but it will make them feel a little better.

After a patient has completed the program, it is paramount that they stick to the prescribed diet and exercise schedule. Exercise may be as simple as walking up and down the stairs for ten or twenty minutes every day or taking a walk in the park.

This is the only way to ensure continuation of wellness and long term positive effects. Morbidity and mortality, though still quite pronounced, is pushed further away from the patient’s mind. With pulmonary rehabilitation, a COPD patient can live life without letting the impending doom falter their steps.