Does gender have an impact on severity of COPD?
Chronic Pulmonary Disease is a leading cause of death around the world. However mortality rates for women are higher than for men, who's mortality rate has actually dropped between 1999 and 2006. The mortality rate for women however did not change and by 2000 women exceeded male mortality rates. This has prompted a shift in the perception that was once held that COPD was a 'male disease' and to look into why women are at a significant risk of death from COPD compared to men.
The primary risk factor for CPD is tobacco smoking. There is new evidence suggesting that the two genders differ in their susceptibility to the effects of smoking.
There may be a gender-specific genetic predisposition for lung damage, also women have smaller airways and therefore smoking the same amount of tobacco as men can result in proportionally more lung damage. Exposure to second-hand smoke, choice of cigarette brands and inhalation methods all may contribute to these gender differences. The number of women smoking also has increased dramatically over the last few decades.
These gender differences may start early in life and may be influenced by sex hormones. A study showed that young girls exposed to pollution and tobacco smoke showed greater lung reduction than the boys.
Smoking women are typically younger when they receive their COPD diagnosis and also the annual progression of COPD is more rapid in female smokers than in male smokers, even if they smoked for fewer years and smoked less than their male counterparts.
However 15% COPD diagnoses are non-smokers and of this group 80% are non-smokers suggesting that it is not just tobacco but other risk factors that contributes to a higher prevalence of COPD in women compared to men. Occupational exposures to dusts, coal and metallic fumes in the agricultural and industrial workplaces are a huge risk factor and over the last few decades more women have entered into these traditionally male occupations. In less-developed countries women are more likely to be employed in the textile, brass-ware, ceramics and glassware industries where there is a risk of exposure to damaging agents.
There is also a difference in the clinical symptoms experienced between the genders. Men report more sputum production and quality of life is lower for women who tend to suffer with higher rates of anxiety and depression and suffer more from shortness of breath. Men demonstrate higher rates of diabetes, sleep apnoea and cardiovascular disease whereas women tend to develop osteoporosis and bowel disease. Women also tend to suffer more with decreased BMI and higher airway obstruction readings and a poorer resulting prognosis. Women are also more likely than men to be diagnosed late, which also impacts upon their health and outlook if treatment is started later after more lung damage has occurred.
Upon diagnosis women tend to be younger than men and examination of their lung tissue shows that women in fact had more airway problems at that point, than men. This may explain why women experience more breathlessness and more of a decreased capacity to exercise than men.
These findings suggest that gender must be considered in future COPD studies and that gender is highly important in the treatment of COPD in the future. Gender-specific treatments may need to be developed as well as trying to diagnose women at an earlier point in their lung deterioration to increase survival rates for women.
References: http://www.webmd.com and http://www.medpagetoday.com
Oxygen could be the key to a cure for diabetes
With Obesity steadily increasing in the Western world, the number of people suffering from Diabetes has become grossly excessive and is on the increase.
The treatment of Diabetes demands that the diabetic make drastic lifestyle changes. These changes can include: weight loss, rigid exercise programs and a complete restructuring of a person's diet. Unfortunately many patients struggle to initiate and maintain these changes and find themselves being gradually and increasingly affected by damaging symptoms of the disease.
Type 1 diabetes is caused by the immune system attacking itself and destroying cells in the pancreas. The pancreas produces insulin and so it results in the body not producing enough. It can be caused by an infection, toxins or an autoimmune reaction. Type 2 diabetes can be caused by multiple risk factors including obesity, increasing age, poor diet, pregnancy and illness.
When there isn't enough insulin or the insulin is not used as it should be, glucose (sugar) can't get into the body's cells and builds up in the bloodstream. Since the cells aren't getting the glucose they need, they can't function properly and the build up causes damage in multiple areas of the body, leading to many various diabetes-related diseases and conditions.
A new bio-material has been designed which has the capacity to spontaneously generate oxygen when it is exposed to water. This material allows oxygen to be released in the bloodstream in targeted or generalised areas increasing oxygen levels within the body and not relying on lung function. A major potential use of this material is that it can be used in transplantation and skin grafts. Normally when new cells are surgically placed it takes a while for the body to form a blood supply network to these new cells and many die off in the early stages. This material would allow an immediate oxygen supply and increase the chances of the organ or cells taking hold. In particular it would be beneficial for transplanting pancreatic cells as these require huge amounts of oxygen to survive and function. Successful pancreatic cell transplants would give patients with Type 1 diabetes the ability to produce their own insulin.
This however is still in its early days and much more research is needed before it can hopefully start treating those with diabetes. More and more patients are seeking out alternative and natural remedies to help treat their symptoms but it seems that oxygen therapy is often overlooked. Oxygenating the cells in your body is proven to have many positive health benefits and it has been found that it can aid in the prevention of several diabetic symptoms.
A main complication of diabetes is limb amputation due to a lack of circulation. Regular oxygen therapy has been shown to aid cellular oxygenation and healing, increasing the oxygen levels reaching your extremities to prevent cell death and helping to heal ulcers.
Diabetic patients are 3 times more likely to develop Glaucoma which can lead to blindness. Supplemental oxygen has been shown to ensure continued oxygenation to the eye and to relief the pressure that the fluid build-up can cause. Glaucoma is also difficult to spot until it is too late therefore taking supplemental oxygen can help to ward off this symptom before it's too late.
Diabetes also weakens the body and its ability to self-heal and can affect the sensory areas of the brain. Many Type 1 sufferers experience symptoms similar to being under the influence of alcohol which can have a major impact of their day-to-day life. Supplemental oxygen has been shown to aid in nerve regeneration and general body repair and healing which can alleviate these symptoms.
Oxygen Therapy is an effective alternative treatment for diabetes and can be used as a method of prevention against certain debilitating ailments commonly experienced by diabetics. Talk to your GP about the possibility of being prescribed oxygen via the NHS or there are many private companies that can supply oxygen concentrators to you.
References: www.miami.edu and www.mroxygen.co.za and www.diabetes.co.uk
Good bacteria could be the key to curing asthma
Asthma is caused by your airways being more sensitive to irritants and becoming inflamed, making it difficult to breathe. Cases are on the increase and one in every 11 children in the UK are now diagnosed with Asthma. One explanation for the rise in Asthma is the 'Hygiene Hypothesis', which has been discussed for many years. This suggests that children are no longer exposed to enough bacteria at an early age, which normally would help to build the immune system to be able to tell the difference between friend and foe bacteria. This results in the immune system believing that pollen and other triggers are harmful resulting in the airways becoming inflamed as the immune system attacks.
On the back of these discussions a team analysed the billions of bugs that naturally occur within the human body. Microbes, bacteria and fungi outnumber human cells 10 to one and this 'microbiome' is thought to be key to our health. They found that if there were four main groups of bugs missing then the risk of developing asthma was very high. The types of bacteria are faecalibacterium, Lachnospira, Veillonella and Rothia. The team looked for the presence of these bacteria in children aged 3 months and one year and then looked to see if they developed asthma by the age of 3. The lack of these bacteria in both age groups resulted in a high risk of developing asthma by the age of 3.
It appears that the first year of life is crucial and that the 'right bugs at the right time' could be the best way of preventing asthma and other allergies. Exposing children in the first year of life to a wide variety of bacteria could help to ensure that their immune system is calibrated correctly and prevent later development of asthma.
Further experiments, which looked into the 'passing down of immunity' from mother to child involved giving a bacterial cocktail to mice who then had offspring with reduced inflammation in their lungs. Other suggestions involve the fact that giving birth by Caesarean section and not breast feeding may both limit the bacteria from being passed from mother to child and hinder immune system development.
Dr Marsland from Switzerland has been researching this area for a number of years and believes that diet, microbes and the first year of life are key in preventing or easing Asthma symptoms. He believes that a high fibre diet is important for keeping the gut healthy, as it is the delicate balance of gut bacteria in our bodies that affects our immune system and may play a role in asthma development.
However this is just a step in the right direction, more research needs to be carried out into these four types of bacteria, their role within the body and their relationship with the immune system and conditions like allergies and Asthma. If there is a direct link then new information could be given to new parents about exposing children to bacteria, a bacteria cocktail could potentially be created to be given to pregnant women or young children, there may also be a way of training the immune system at a later stage of development by introducing these bacteria to patients to try and cure or lessen their Asthma.
Scientists urge people not to run out and buy lots of friendly bacteria yogurt drinks and pro-biotic yogurts, as much more research is needed to ascertain the facts and details of what this discovery actually means for the larger population in real life. Doctors urge Asthma patients to continue with their inhalers, medications and oxygen therapy as prescribed, which all help to ease the symptoms.
References: http://www.nhs.uk and http://www.bbc.co.uk
'TIS THE SEASON FOR COPD EXACCERBATIONS
Research shows that COPD sufferers are more likely to be hospitalised during the Christmas holiday period than at any other time during the winter. This is in part due to developing respiratory infections on the weeks leading up to Christmas as the weather gets colder but also these are more easily spread at holiday social events, which are more frequent on the lead up to Christmas. With more germs around, colder weather acting as a trigger, increased social occasions and the extra stress of shopping and travelling leading up to Christmas, all increases the risk of infections, frequency of flare-ups and potential hospitalisation. Also remember that over Christmas you may not have as much access to medical assistance so preparation and check-ups before GP surgeries close and other services become minimised is very important.
It is very important to take care of yourself as the weather turns colder to ensure you stay healthy throughout the winter season.
To protect your breathing this holiday season:
- Wash your hands properly and often
- Stay away from people who are sick.
- Make sure your prescriptions are up-to-date so that you are prepared to treat a flare-up.
- Keep your medicine on hand.
- Watch your symptoms and get medical help if you need it.
- If you’re travelling, take extra supplies of your medicine.
- Ensure you have enough oxygen supply and an emergency back-up just in case your oxygen requirements increase suddenly or there is a power outage
To prevent flare-ups, avoid these indoor triggers:
- Decorations: When you get your holiday decorations out of storage remember they are most likely covered in dust. If the area where you store them has dust and mildew, proactively use your inhaler if prescribed one, and wear a mask, scarf or bandana for protection from these particles. Then wipe down all your decorations with a cloth to remove any dust before you deck the halls.
- Trees: Freshly cut Christmas trees are beautiful but they can also contain pollen and mould spores, which can trigger breathing problems. If you bring home a live tree for the holiday season, rinse it with a hose and let it dry in your garage before bringing it into the house.
- Hosting: People tend to deep clean their homes before being inundated with guests over Christmas. However excessive use of cleaning products can trigger flare-ups but there are lots of home remedies that work just as well that don't contain chemical triggers.
- Scents: Holiday scents can be a great addition to the festivities but things like candles, incense and air fresheners can also be a trigger. While they smell good, they may not be good for you or your guests with respiratory challenges.
- Be careful of your diet, the holiday season throws up a host of rich and sugary foods but ensure you maintain a well-balanced diet as poor eating and diet can trigger a flare-up or make you more susceptible to a respiratory infection.
- Be aware of wood smoke from stoves and fireplaces
Cold dry winter air can be a trigger for some people with asthma and COPD:
- Wear a scarf or face mask over your nose and mouth, to help warm the air before you breathe it in.
- Breathe through your nose, not your mouth – this also helps warm the air before it reaches your lungs.
- If you plan to exercise outdoors, first do warm-up exercises indoors.
- If need be, take a dose of your inhaler or oxygen before you go outside.
If you are prepared and take precautionary measures and monitor your symptoms then you should make it through the holiday season in good health.
Some COPD patients find it easier and safer to not be at home for the depths of winter to avoid ill health and chose to travel abroad to warmer climates, either with their partner or to visit friends and family. This way you can avoid the cold weather and its complications all together. Many find that being on holiday is more relaxing and the warmer weather helps to improve their health. Travelling abroad with oxygen is easy to arrange with a global company that can arrange and supply all your oxygen requirements from the second you step off the plane. Just check with your doctor that you are allowed to fly, look up helpful information on flying with COPD and contact a company, such as Oxygenworldwide who will ensure that your holiday runs smoothly. You do not want to be travelling abroad to ensure the cold doesn't affect your health to then be faced with other problems abroad so just ensure you use a reputable company and make suitable preparations.
References: http://sct.poumon.ca and http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov and http://propellerhealth.com
COPD morning blues
COPD symptoms are experienced throughout the day, however the morning is often the most difficult time for patients. The condition negatively impacts upon their normal daily activities from the minute they wake up in the morning. They find that their morning routine of getting up, showering and getting ready are significantly slowed down due to COPD symptoms. Patients often find that the interference from the symptoms in the morning is a greater challenge than the symptoms themselves.
Symptoms such as breathlessness, wheezing, coughing and phlegm production are all increased usually due to a build-up of mucus overnight and for many it means that more strenuous activities tend to take longer and many find that they have to get up earlier to allow time to complete them. Many patients report that they have had to change their morning routine to compensate, either changing the order in which they do things, allowing more time and rest gaps or changing activities completely.
Some rest in bed for a short period upon waking before even getting out of bed, some also take medication or oxygen at that point also. Many avoid the stairs and some switch from showers to baths as it is less strenuous and you can rest your legs. Also having a breakfast that is quicker to prepare such as fruit and yoghurt helps save time and effort. Grab bars in the shower or along long hallways allow you to have a rest if needed.
Morning headaches are another common complaint from COPD patients, usually those who need night-time therapy or are in more developed stages of the disease. These dull, throbbing headaches are present as soon as they wake up. The cause is either too little oxygen in the blood or too much carbon dioxide in the blood which is a result of the lung damage. Another cause can be too much oxygen in the blood, a result of night-time oxygen therapy. This imbalance of carbon dioxide or oxygen can cause blood vessels to expand as the brain tries to get as much oxygen as possible and causes the headaches. If the headaches are due to night-time therapy then your flow rate can be adjusted to try and stop this from happening. If the headaches are due to general COPD night-time breathing then exercise can help to improve lung function and medications can help to reduce the swelling of the arteries. Some find that a short burst of oxygen in the morning can alleviate them and the right pillow can help to keep the head in the best position for breathing.
Morning symptoms can interfere with a patient's career, lifestyle and mental well-being. Based on a recent survey, 1 in 4 working patients had to change jobs, 1 in 2 are often late for work or appointments and 2 in 3 had to cut back working hours. So even though your symptoms may only be bad in the morning and alleviate throughout the day, the impact they can have upon your morning routine can alter many major aspects of your life. Therefore it is important to keep in communication with your doctor and to try any of the tips above to try and reduce these symptoms to help improve the patient's quality of life.
References: www.novartis.com and www.epgonline.org and
Could oxygen therapy help to alleviate symptoms for M.E patients?
ME or Myalgic Encephalopathy is one of a few different names that are given to what is an illness of uncertain cause that affects thousands of people. It is also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), Post-viral Fatigue Syndrome (PVFS) and Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS). All types of people of all ages are affected and for many years much controversy surrounded ME as the whether it was in fact an illness at all. Patients suffer from severe and debilitating fatigue, painful muscles and joints, disturbed sleep, gastric disturbances, poor memory and concentration and the onset is usually linked to a viral infection, operation or an accident, although some suffer a slow steady onset.
In some patients the effects are minimal but for others lives are changed drastically. In the young school-life can be severely disrupted and for older patients employment can become impossible. Social/family life can become restricted and many are housebound or even bed-bound for months or years.
Any vigorous exercise such as running or biking can result in the patient being bed-bound and most patients focus on more mild exercising like walking, swimming, tai chi etc.
A study discovered that patients were getting the blood they needed to the muscles but for some reason they weren’t taking up the oxygen very quickly and it took longer for the oxygen levels to get back to normal after exercise.
It could be that the mitochondria in the cells which use oxygen to produce energy could be damaged. These mitochondria also would normally pump damaging free-radicals out of the cell which could interfere with muscle metabolism and cause pain.
Oxygen uptake into the cells would also normally neutralise lactate build-up created during exercise and in the patients in the study it took longer for the oxygen to neutralise the toxic build-up in the cells after exercise.
Another study found that in ME patients specifically that there was significantly lower blood volumes which could account for lower oxygen levels, on average a 20% reduction, which could be cause by the nervous system. In fact some doctors believe that ME may be caused by low oxygen levels. An additional theory is that the nervous system shuts down blood vessels when an ME patient is at rest and then fails to open them up sufficiently when you become active, which is a bad combination when the patient cannot sleep at night and then cannot fulfil any activities during the day.
If low oxygen levels are a root cause of ME then it is being researched at the moment as to whether increasing oxygen levels ie via home oxygen therapy would help to alleviate the symptoms of this disease. Many patients with other conditions such as COPD and Sleep Apnoea have discovered that by using oxygen for these other conditions it has also alleviated their ME symptoms as well. Some find that a 15minute session twice a day can help to nip the symptoms in the bud, others did not or found that longer or more frequent sessions were needed. Others find it helpful to have oxygen on board the air plane when travelling on holiday as before they had experienced increased symptoms whilst away on previous holidays. Patient's with Sleep Apnoea have found that oxygen not only helped with their sleep but made them feel more energised and decreased the severity of their fatigue in the mornings and made the syndrome much easier to live with. It seems to vary from patient to patient as to if and how it helps, as for example some COPD patients find that their oxygen tanks and concentrators helped, whereas others found that only by switching machines to a CPAP machine did it help with their ME symptoms.
It seems from the evidence and patient feedback that there is a link and that increasing oxygen intake to increase blood oxygen levels does, in most cases help to alleviate or extinguish ME symptoms. However with the syndrome itself still unexplained and only a few studies having been carried out so far on this topic, much more research is needed to conclusively prove the link. Also as patients sometimes have a mixture of different inter-linking conditions and causes of their ME symptoms, different patients may respond differently so it may be a case of trial and error as to how you can increase your oxygen levels in a way that will work to alleviate your ME symptoms.
Reference: www.meassociation.org.uk and www.cortjohnson.org and www.actionforme.org.uk
POLYCYTHEMIA - A LESSER-KNOWN COMPLICATION OF COPD
Polycythemia or Erythrocytosis is where there is a high concentration of red blood cells in your blood. This makes the blood thicker, less viscous and less able to travel through blood vessels and to organs impeding oxygen delivery. This is obviously a huge problem with those who already suffer with conditions like COPD where oxygen delivery is already hindered.
Symptoms of mild cases include:
• Headaches
• Blurred vision
• Red skin
• Tiredness
• High blood pressure
• Dizziness
• Abdomen discomfort
• Confusion
• Nose bleeds and bruising
• Gout
• Itchy skin (especially after a bath, as a result of the high levels of white blood cells releasing the chemical histamine)
The slow, sluggish blood flow associated with Polycythemia can also cause blood clots, which can put you at risk of heart attacks, pulmonary embolisms (blockages in a vessel), Deep-Vein Thrombosis (DVT) or Strokes.
Signs of this include:
• Pain, swelling, redness and tenderness in your legs
• a heavy ache in the affected area
• Warm skin in the area
• Breathlessness
• Chest/upper back pain
• Coughing up blood
• Feeling dizzy or light-headed
• Fainting
Apparent Polycythemia is where your red cell count is normal but the concentration of red blood cells is higher due to a lack of plasma in the blood making it thicker. Usually caused by being overweight, smoking, excessive drinking or from certain medications like diuretics. It can be improved if the underlying condition is treated.
Absolute Polycythemia is where your body is actually producing too many red blood cells. Primary Polycythemia is where your bone marrow is producing too many due to a genetic defect in the JAK2 gene and is known as Polycythemia Vera (PV). Secondary Polycythemia is where too many red blood cells are produced but is caused by an underlying condition.
Secondary Polycythemia can be caused by kidney disease or tumours but also by COPD and Sleep apnoea which can cause an increase in Erythropoietin to be produced by the kidneys which stimulates the bone marrow to produce more red blood cells. This is a reaction to there not being enough oxygen reaching the kidneys.
Treatment:
The treatment aims to prevent symptoms and complications such as blood clots from occurring and to treat any underlying causes so will vary slightly from patient to patient.
Venesection is the quickest and simplest way of reducing the number of red blood cells. It involves removing about one pint of blood at a time, in a similar way to giving a blood donation. The frequency could be anywhere from one a week to once every 6-8 weeks depending on cause and severity.
Medications such as interferon to reduce red blood cell production and those to prevent blood clots such as aspirin may be administered. Or any medication that treats the underlying cause may be given.
The outlook depends upon the underlying cause but most cases are mild and easily managed, although PV can be more serious.
If you have Polycythemia, it is important to take any medication you are prescribed and keep an eye out for signs of possible blood clots to help reduce your risk of serious complications.
Continuous low-flow oxygen therapy can also help to relieve Polycythemia. As increased oxygen supply to the kidneys will reduce the amount of erythropoietin they release and therefore prevent an increase of red blood cell production in the bone marrow and also helps to relieve associating symptoms.
References: http://www.nhs.uk
Does Vitamin A cure emphysema?
Updated May 2024
Recent research has revealed that Retinoic Acid, a derivative of Vitamin A that is found in common food such as eggs, milk and vegetables suggests these food types could hold the key to reverse lung damage caused by the disease Emphysema.
What is Emphysema?
- Emphysema involves the gradual destruction of the small, air sacs called (alveoli) that are located at the tip of the smallest air passages (bronchioles).
- Over time the walls of the air sacs are destroyed resulting in “holes” leaving fewer and larger air sacs, which diminish the gas exchanged in the lungs and decreases the amount of oxygen in the bloodstream.
- Emphysema is one of the most common respiratory diseases in Britain and causes progressive damage to the lungs, which can eventually kill and there is currently no cure.
- Symptoms include breathlessness but sufferers can be left gasping for breath and reliant on oxygen.
- It usually affects older people and is generally the result of long-term damage to the lungs caused by smoking or exposure to other harmful substances.
How can Retinoic Acid help?
By allowing the alveoli to grow back again Retinoic acid research on mice helps to repair damaged lung tissue until they reach normal levels and trials have already started on humans. The study involved just 12 days of daily injections of the compound ATRA which enabled the mice to grow healthy new alveoli.
Many COPD sufferers have a deficiency of Vitamin A, other research has shown that cigarette smoking (the leading cause of developing COPD) had a direct impact on lowering Vitamin A uptake in the body, caused by a common carcinogen found in cigarettes called benzopyren. It appears that a vitamin A deficiency may be the culprit behind emphysema and cigarettes could merely be the vehicle.
Where to find Vitamin A?
Beta-carotene is a pigment found in plants that helps produce the vivid colours of certain fruits and vegetables, such as cantaloupe and carrots. When ingested, beta- carotene is converted by the body into vitamin A (retinol), which can then be used by the body or it can simply act as an antioxidant scavenging free radicals, a reason why Vitamin A may also have anti-cancer properties.
Until the affects of this synthetic compound has been thoroughly tested, the best way to safely increase vitamin A/Beta-Carotene Levels is with your diet. Experts warn that large oral doses of synthetic stand-alone supplemental vitamin A can be dangerous, as it is a fat soluble vitamin and stored in the liver and large doses can damage the liver. The best way to ensure adequate levels of beta carotene or vitamin A is via your diet and not through pills.
Here are the ten foods rich in levels of Beta-carotene. As Beta-carotene is a fat soluble vitamin, eating the following foods with a fat like olive oil or nuts can help absorption:
- Sweet potato
- Carrots
- Dark green leafy vegetables
- Cos
- Canteloupe Melon
- Butternut Squash
- Red peppers
- Broccoli
- Peas
- Dried Apricots
In addition vitamin A deficiency can make iron deficiency more severe, reducing even further the amount of oxygen being taken up by the body. Therefore increasing your vitamin A levels also increases your body's ability to take up oxygen, vitally important for those suffering with a lung disease who may require supplemental oxygen to help ease their breathing and increase oxygen levels.
References:
Daily Mail
Healthaliciousness
Livestrong
GrowFood
SMART OXYGEN DELIVERY DEVICE COULD BE AVAILABLE FROM 2016
ieCrowd has recently announced that they have achieved a huge milestone by designing an advanced supplemental oxygen delivery device called Smart Oxygen. It is designed to be used by patients suffering with diseases such as COPD. The device has the ability to automatically adjust to the patient's oxygen needs, even if they are constantly changing, through analysing the level of activity.
It has been confirmed by the FDA that the Smart Oxygen device has been submitted for approval by the FDA as it would need several bench and laboratory performance tests before it can be approved for commercial marketing. It is expected that if the device passes all testing criteria then it could be available in the early part of 2016.
The device can adjust automatically on a breath-by-breath basis. It uses an algorithm which is patent-pending, to allow it to deliver a specific dose of oxygen in response to the respiratory pattern that the patient is exhibiting. If the device is enabled to respond to a patient's changing metabolic activities and oxygen requirements then the patient will receive the specific and appropriate amount of oxygen when they are carrying out activities that require short bursts of increased oxygen consumption, such as climbing the stairs, walking or exercising. This then maintains satisfactory blood oxygen levels without the need to manually adjust the oxygen flow rate (which patients are not recommended to do themselves anyway). This results in a more dynamic lifestyle with increased mobility, better exercise performance and improved quality of life.
Keeping active and maintaining an exercise routine is crucial for COPD patients however many find it difficult as they get out of breath so easily whereas this device would adjust and increase their oxygen flow rate if necessary and only when the body required it to allow them to exercise and perform daily tasks much more easily and ultimately improve their fitness levels and their medical condition.
References: http://www.rtmagazine.com and http://copdnewstoday.com
