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Coach Brandon - Community Manager

Coach Brandon - Community Manager๐Ÿ Wildfire smoke doesn't have to be nearby to affect your lungs.

With wildfires burning in parts of Canada, smoke can travel hundreds or even thousands of miles and affect air quality far from the fires themselves.

If you have COPD or another chronic lung condition, a few simple steps can help protect your lungs:

๐ŸŒฌ๏ธ Check your local Air Quality Index (AQI) before heading outside.
๐Ÿ  Keep windows and doors closed when air quality is poor.
๐Ÿ˜ท If you must be outdoors, talk with your healthcare provider about whether a well-fitting respirator (such as an N95) is appropriate for you.
๐Ÿ’™ Keep your rescue inhaler and medications nearby, and follow your action plan if symptoms worsen.
๐Ÿšจ If you notice increased shortness of breath, wheezing, or coughing, don't ignore itโ€”contact your healthcare provider if symptoms don't improve.

Have you noticed smoky skies or changes in your breathing where you live? Let us know where you're checking in from!

8 hours ago

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

Coach Brandon - Community Manager๐Ÿพ Visit My Corner of the World Wednesday โค
National Pet Fire Safety Day

Our pets have a way of making every place feel like home. Whether they're curled up beside us during a breathing treatment, keeping us company on a walk, or simply making us smile after a long day, they're family.

Today is National Pet Fire Safety Day, a gentle reminder that a little planning today can make a big difference tomorrow.

For many of us living with COPD, bronchiectasis, or NTM lung diseaseโ€”or caring for someone who isโ€”having an emergency plan is already part of life. We think about medications, oxygen, airway clearance equipment, and the supplies we rely on every day. As we make those plans, let's not forget the companions who count on us, too.

A few simple reminders:
๐Ÿพ Keep leashes, harnesses, or carriers somewhere easy to grab.
๐Ÿพ Make sure your pet has identification tags or is microchipped.
๐Ÿพ Include pet food, medications, and supplies in your emergency kit.
๐Ÿพ If you use oxygen or other medical equipment, think about how your pet fits into your emergency plan.

๐Ÿ“ธ Now it's your turn!

In honor of National Pet Fire Safety Day, we'd love to meet the companions who brighten your days. Share a photo of your dog, cat, bird, rabbit, horseโ€”or any special friend who makes you smile.

And if today's picture isn't about a pet, that's wonderful too! Share a favorite place insteadโ€”a peaceful porch, a beautiful view, your garden, your morning coffee spot, or anywhere that brings you comfort and joy.

After all, Visit My Corner of the World Wednesday is all about sharing the little pieces of life that make our corner of the world special.

๐Ÿ’™ Whether it's a beloved pet, a favorite place, or both, we'd love to see your corner of the world!

13 hours ago

Caroline West Virginia State Captain

Caroline West Virginia State Captainanswered the question Check-in: How does COPD affect personal hygiene?

I think that the towel or a rug on the floor is important because the wet floor is a fall hazard.
every breath also answered the question every breath also answered the question

3 hours ago

Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State Captain

Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State Captain

I'm Hot!!! ๐Ÿ˜“ I had a neurologists' appointment this morning and my air conditioning was set on 74F.  When I returned home it was 86F in the house!!!  Luckily, I was able to get an A/C company to come out right away and they replaced 3 components that had gone bad, and it's slowly getting cooler.  I was afraid that the service man would tell me I needed a new unit, since this one is about 10 years old.  He said it would take about 4 hours to cool back down, so maybe by nightfall?

Anyway,  it's really made me appreciate air conditioning.  I feel really bad for our members who live in areas where air conditioning isn't a usual feature in their homes, especially in the heat waves we've all experienced lately.

4 hours ago

Carol Van

Carol Van

๐Ÿ˜€ I am doing well today.  Interested in finding out how palliative care has helped others with MAC, COPD , and/or Bronchiectasis.  Thank you for your info!  Great to have others to share our common experiences with!  Hope you are breathing easier today!

5 hours ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

Here's a little report from where I live in Milford, Connecticut. 
I was just outside feeding the birds and squirrels. Oh, my gosh! The smoke from the Canadian wildfires is awful today! It's thick and hazy. The smell is horrible! Anyone going outside in this, mask up! Limit your time out there! Carry your rescue inhaler and cell phone with you! 
We were expecting a "plume" of smoke to pass through today. Much worse than yesterday. ๐Ÿ˜ท

10 hours ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captaincommented onEating Well: From Debbie Bโ€™s Kitchen to Yours

๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘PEACH SMOOTHIE๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘5 ounces vanilla yogurt1 1/2 pounds peeled, chopped fresh peaches OR frozen peaches1/2 cup crushed ice3/4 cup milk of your choice 1/4 tsp. cinnamon 1/2 tsp. sugarPlace all ingredients in a blender. Blend until smooth....

13 hours ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHappy Wonderful Wednesday! The simple pleasures in life bring such a big smile to our faces! ๐Ÿ˜ƒ Spectacular little things! โœจ๏ธ 
Wishing everyone a pleasant, easy breathing Wednesday! ๐Ÿ˜Š

18 hours ago

HIcopd - Hawaii State Captain

HIcopd - Hawaii State Captain

Important Information for staying healthy.  This is about Cyclospora, a parasite that is in raw produce.

Cyclospora keeps Climbing T
he Dose (July 14)
Katelyn Jetelina and Marisa Donnelly, PhD

Cyclospora cases continue to climb. 
Some of this is expected, since more people are now aware of it and testing for it, but it is still an undercount, given that many people wait out the sickness at home. The total number of cases is hard to pin down. This is because data in the U.S. is decentralized (local health departments report to states, states report to the CDC), so you will likely see numbers all over the place.. If we scrape for state-level data, the most cases (2,640) are in Michigan, followed by New York (470). A local health department in Northwest Ohio is reporting 661 cases. Figure from the Health Security Operations Center. While there are cases in over 30 states, the U.S. sees cases every year, often from different outbreaks. A key question is whether the number exceeds expectations and, if so, why. In some states, this is certainly the case. For example, the number of infections in Michigan is 31 times higher than in previous years, and in New York, itโ€™s three times higher. In some states, like California, rates are not higher than normal.Michiganโ€™s health official announced yesterday that preliminary findings indicate lettuce or packaged salad greens as a likely source. The investigation has yet to pinpoint a company or rule out other foods. Two dozen other states are still under active investigation. Zero word from FDA.What this means for you: Continue to avoid bagged and boxed salads at grocery stores and restaurants. Iโ€™m still sticking to produce that can be peeled or vegetables with smooth surfaces, like cucumbers, until more data comes in.

1 day ago

HIcopd - Hawaii State Captain

HIcopd - Hawaii State Captain Please join us tomorrow for our monthly COPD Support Group Meeting! It's 10-noon Hawaii Standard Time, 4-6pm Eastern. More information as at www.hawaiicopd.org/join-great-discussions-about-lung-health/

1 day ago

perkyH

perkyH

Karen I am having  a hard time answering your queastion no button to relpy. My thoracric  surgeron thought i'd be a good canidate for the lung reduction from looking at my exrays. So thats why i did it that way. and it has truley been life changing.

1 day ago

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

Coach Brandon - Community Manager๐ŸŽ‰ Happy Pandemonium Day! ๐ŸŽ‰

Some days, life just seems determined to keep us on our toes.

Maybe your oxygen tubing found every chair in the house. Maybe your inhaler is hiding in the one place you already looked three times. Maybe the phone won't stop ringing, the dog needs out, the laundry is calling your name, and you're wondering, "Can I get just five quiet minutes?" ๐Ÿ˜„

Living with COPDโ€”or caring for someone who doesโ€”can sometimes feel like organized chaos.

So today, let's celebrate Pandemonium Day by laughing at those moments instead of letting them win.

๐Ÿ’™ What's the funniest little bit of "pandemonium" you've experienced lately?

Maybe your concentrator tubing wrapped around the coffee table... again.
Maybe you walked into a room and completely forgot why.
Maybe your pet "helped" with your breathing treatment.
Or maybe it was just one of those days where nothing went according to plan.

Share your story, a funny photo, or a little moment that made you smile.

Sometimes the best medicine is realizing we're all figuring it out togetherโ€”and finding a reason to laugh along the way. ๐Ÿ’™

1 day ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captaincommented onEating Well: From Debbie Bโ€™s Kitchen to Yours

๐Ÿ„โ€๐ŸŸซMUSHROOM & SPINACH ORZO๐Ÿ„โ€๐ŸŸซ8 ounces orzo1 cup reserved pasta cooking water1 tbsp. butter8 ounces baby bella mushrooms, sliced 1/2 tsp. salt1 shallot, minced 1 clove garlic, minced1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1 cup baby spinach leaves 1...

1 day ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHappy Terrific Tuesday! 
Wake up with a song in your heart! So happy to be here! So many reasons to smile! 
Enjoy your day, friends! ๐Ÿ˜€

1 day ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainMy first Stargazer Lily of the season! My favorite lily, with a pleasant scent! 
I dedicate this lily to a dear friend Caroline West Virginia State Captainโ€‹

2 days ago

Kalli Mago (COPDF Communications Coordinator)

Kalli Mago (COPDF Communications Coordinator)asked the question: Check-in: How does COPD affect personal hygiene?

Practicing good personal hygiene is an important way to care for your mental and physical health. Good hygiene helps you feel and look your best, while also avoiding potential health issues like tooth decay. However, COPD can complicate tasks that …

2 days ago

JeanO53

JeanO53Here in Southeastern Wisconsin, we're headed into a couple of days of 90 degrees.
It was warm yesterday so I drove to two parks, hoping to get a brief moment near the cool Lake Michigan waters, but no such luck.  As you might imagine, the beaches were very crowded.
So I went to one of our nature centers where I knew I could be outside and not surrounded by people.  I found the perfect spot to sit in the shade and enjoy nature,

2 days ago

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

Coach Brandon - Community Manager๐Ÿค“ Happy Embrace Your Geekness Day!

Some people geek out over sports stats or the latest gadgets.

Around here? We proudly geek out over inhalers, nebulizers, pulse oximeters, oxygen tubing, medication schedules, airway clearance tricks, and finding that one little tip that makes life just a bit easier.

And honestly...that's pretty awesome.

Living with COPD often turns us into accidental experts. We learn, we adapt, we ask questions, and before long we're the ones helping someone else who's just beginning the journey.

So today, we're embracing our inner geek!

๐Ÿ’™ What's one "geeky" COPD fact, tip, trick, or piece of knowledge you've learned that has made your life easier?

Maybe it's:
๐Ÿซ A nebulizer cleaning routine that works well.
๐Ÿ’จ A breathing technique you wish you'd learned sooner.
๐Ÿ“ฑ A favorite app or reminder that keeps you on track.
๐ŸŽฅ A tutorial or educational resource that finally made something click.
โญ Or maybe you're the person everyone comes to with COPD questions!

No matter how small it seems, your experience could be exactly what someone else needs today.

Go ahead...wear that Geek Badge with pride. Around here, sharing what we've learned is one of the coolest things we do.

Happy Monday, everyone! ๐Ÿค“๐Ÿ’™

2 days ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captaincommented onEating Well: From Debbie Bโ€™s Kitchen to Yours

โœด๏ธโฉ๏ธCOUSCOUS SALADโช๏ธโœด๏ธ1 cup pearled couscous2 tbsp. olive oil 1/2 tsp. Dijon mustard 1/4 tsp. honey1/2 tsp. finely grated lemon zest 2 tbsp. lemon juice Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste Half of a medium English cucumber,...

2 days ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHappy Monday, friends! Whether your day will be beachy or peachy, I hope it will be a great one! ๐Ÿš ๐Ÿ‘ ๐Ÿ˜Š

2 days ago

bency

bencyanswered the question When to treat a flare up?

Hi BlueSky, Sorry you are dealing with this so early on that stage is tough. Honestly, it's not obvious even for long-time COPD folks. I watch for a combo needing my rescue inhaler more, getting breathless doing normal stuff, more fatigue and worse …
David Mannino, MD (Chief Medical Officer, COPD Foundation )brydyWildebeest also answered the question David Mannino, MD (Chief Medical Officer, COPD Foundation )and 2 others also answered the question

3 days ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHappy Sunday! 
May your day start off in a positive way! 
May your day be filled with joy! 
May you cherish every precious moment! ๐Ÿ˜Š

3 days ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainAmelia (Millie ) โค๏ธโ€‹


Hi Millie! I was in the pet store picking up some supplies, and I enjoyed spending time with this pineapple green cheek! ๐Ÿ ๐ŸŸข

4 days ago

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

Coach Brandon - Community Manager๐Ÿ’™ Today is Cheer Up the Lonely Day.

Sometimes the kindest thing we can do is remind someone they're not alone.

Living with COPD, bronchiectasis, NTM, or caring for someone with a chronic lung condition can sometimes feel isolating. There are days when getting out isn't easy, phone calls become less frequent, or it feels like no one quite understands what you're going through.

That's one of the reasons I love this community.

A simple comment, a friendly hello, sharing a photo, or taking a moment to encourage someone can make a bigger difference than we ever realize.

So tomorrow, let's spread a little kindness.

๐Ÿ’™ Leave an encouraging comment.
๐Ÿ“ž Reach out to someone you've been thinking about.
๐Ÿ˜Š Welcome someone who's new.
๐Ÿ“ท Share something that made you smile today.
โค Let someone know they're seen.

Sometimes, one small act of kindness is enough to brighten someone's entire day.

Who has made you feel less alone during your journey? Or, if you'd rather, share one way you like to brighten someone else's day.

You never know whose day you might change with just a few kind words.

4 days ago

Ruhana

Ruhana

I am in my Private chamber  and see Asthma  and COPD patient 

4 days ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHappy Saturday, friends! Wishing everyone a pleasant, easy breathing day,  filled with reasons to smile! ๐Ÿ˜€

4 days ago

azsexysag

azsexysag

Fair

5 days ago

HIcopd - Hawaii State Captain

HIcopd - Hawaii State CaptainThere is growing recognition about the financial burden COPD can & does pose to patients (called โ€œfinancial toxicity.โ€  This article about a study of it talks about it.  Ask your local Office on Aging about resources that may be helpful to you.  In addition, ask your provider and check online to see if there are programs to reduce drug costs if the copays are high.  It shouldnโ€™t as tough as it unfortunate is for many of us to navigate!



https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41911580/?utm_source=SimplePie&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=pubmed-2&utm_content=127Qa_bQ61-IX7nYKXx_oaVVeaxJ8h1ckJukapBWqK-Zvv39Io&fc=20220523112311&ff=20260330233354&v=2.19.0.post6+133c1fe

Exploring the Impact of Financial Toxicity in COPD: A Qualitative Study - PubMed

Our findings are the first, to our knowledge, to describe the impact of financial toxicity in individuals with COPD. Financial toxicity in COPD is common and may adversely impact disease self-management, financial self-management, and psychological well-being. Additional research is needed to …

5 days ago

Medical Advice

It is not our intention to serve as a substitute for medical advice and any content posted should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. We make every effort to support our members, our medical professionals cannot and will not provide a diagnosis or suggest a specific medication; those decisions should be left to your personal medical team. While we encourage individuals to share their personal experiences with COPD, please consult a physician before making changes to your own COPD management plan.