What Pro2 is Up2

If you or someone you know suffers from COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), then read on.

The World Health Organization shows that death due to lung disease is currently the leading killer among people, topping cancer, heart disease, and even stroke (this is when all lung diseases such as COPD, tuberculosis, lung cancer, and lower respiratory infections are taken into account). And what's more, most people lack the understanding of how to manage lung disease.

A study published in June showed patients with COPD who suffered fatigue were more than 10 times likely to be hospitalized than COPD patients who didn't report fatigue.

The study, completed in Australia, followed 100 consecutive COPD patients over the course of roughly two years. Those patients who reported fatigue showed a 10-fold increase in the risk of being hospitalized compared to patients who didn't report fatigue in the same time period.

Research has also indicated that patients who have COPD are unaware that moderate exercise, like swimming, can actually help improve symptoms such as breathlessness.

June 27th was World Spirometry Day. A simple test such as a spirometry done at your physician's office is a great indicator of lung function and can help you better manage your own health. And yet most patients have never had a spirometry done. If you have COPD or even asthma, talk to your doctor about scheduling a spirometry. And also be sure to have a candid discussion about exercise and how it could help moderate your symptoms.

It's likely that you or someone you know may be suffering from Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). And chances are that in the past few months you've heard the report linking sleep apnea to cancer.

If not, we'll give you a quick recap.

An article published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine in May cited results from the Wisconsin Sleep Cohort Study. After factoring in age, sex, body mass index, and smoking prevalence, the study found that patients with OSA were more likely to die from cancer than patients without OSA. Patients with OSA were also more likely to die from other causes than patients without OSA.

Researchers hypothesized, based on studies done on animals, that OSA helps to promote tumor growth.

Health risks have already been linked to OSA, including high blood pressure, heart disease, heart attack, stroke, fatigue-related motor vehicle accidents, and a general decrease in one's quality of life. And this study just reinforced those links. But this is the first time a link between OSA and cancer has been studied.

What does this mean to you?

Well, if you suspect that you may have sleep apnea- it's important that you speak with your physician right away. If you are diagnosed with OSA, it's even more important to consistently use the therapy prescribed for you. Once used on a consistent basis, many of the health risks linked with OSA are reduced.

Welcome to What Pro2 is Up2- a respiratory and DME blog.

As a full service respiratory company, Pro2 is dedicated to providing the highest quality products, equipment, and services to our customers. We proudly serve western New York with the finest home oxygen and respiratory products and equipment- and have done so for the last 10 years. Patients and their physicians rely on us every day for excellent care and service.

We hope you will visit this blog not only for information on our latest products and services, but also for information on changes to the industry that may affect you.

Feel free to contact us at any time with questions or concerns!