Daylight savings time has passed which means the days are getting shorter and the weather is getting colder. For some, the cold weather and shorter days are a refreshing change. However, if you suffer from COPD, chances are you dread winter.

Cold weather has the ability to negatively affect your COPD in a number of different ways. From causing you to experience shortness of breath to putting you at a higher risk of getting sick, there are several risk factors you have to account for. Not to mention, winter is the peak of cold and flu season.

According to the World Health Organization COPD is the third leading cause of death worldwide, behind heart disease and stroke.  It currently kills more women than breast cancer and diabetes combined. 

Over 3 million people die each year of COPD related causes.  Despite being such a prolific killer COPD is probably the least recognized and most underdiagnosed disease. 

It is estimated that approximately 14.2 million people have been diagnosed with COPD but as many as 13 million have COPD and have yet to be diagnosed.

November is National Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Awareness month, a full month dedicated to spreading awareness and shining light on the 3rd leading cause of death in the United States that continues to take more and more lives each year.

This silent and often invisible respiratory disease is an umbrella term that includes emphysema, chronic bronchitis, refractory asthma, and severe bronchiectasis.

COPD is defined as a chronic inflammatory disease that restricts airflow from the lungs.

In light of the recent fires in the Pacific Northwest, and the threat of a powerful El Niño year we thought an evacuation action plan might be helpful.  Oxygen users should have an emergency kit on hand, not just in times of natural disaster, but always.  Even an overnight power failure requires quick action on the oxygen user’s part to maintain oxygen levels.

COPD exacerbations and flare-ups are taxing on both you and the healthcare system. Not to mention, they are one of the terrifying aspects of dealing with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, and for a good reason. COPD exacerbations result in more than 100,000 deaths and over 500,000 hospitalizations each year. Did you know that within 30 days of hospitalization 21% of COPD patients will be readmitted to the hospital?

The list of occupational hazards for active duty service members is seemingly endless, from post-traumatic stress disorder, to physical injuries, and even declining respiratory health.

While there has been a lot of media attention focusing on the mental and physical rehabilitation of suffering veterans there hasn’t been a lot of attention on the declining respiratory health active duty service members and veterans may already face or could face in the near future.

On Memorial Day, American’s pause to remember those who gave their lives and those who make sacrifices every day to protect our freedom.  Few of us can imagine what active duty soldiers and their families endure. 

And even fewer can imagine what it must be like to care for a child with serious health problems while worrying about a husband who is deployed fighting the war against terror in the Middle East. 

This is the everyday reality of SP4 Tom and his wife Julie who have a young son named Johnny.  Johnny is just 16 years old with big brown eyes and close cropped brown hair, much like his dad’s military issue haircut.  

Traveling has a way of being one of the most exciting and stressful situations to be in, all at the same time.

On one hand you have the joys of traveling to a place you love or have never been and you get to experience it with your family or friends.

On the other hand you have the stresses of booking/paying for the flight, making your flight on time, dealing with security, and making sure you met all of the requirements of your airline to fly with oxygen.

Not to mention, traveling isn't always for leisure.

Traveling for business or traveling for a funeral can increase the amount of stress you are under.

While most of the time you can travel without a hitch, you will want to do everything you can to ensure you don't experience a situation like James and Mary Walker went through on a flight from Ohio to Orlando.