We're proud to announce the opening of our second location,
Pro2 C-PAP Center, at 5759 Main Street, Suite 200. You'll find us right at the corner of Main & Garrison in Williamsville. It's a more convenient location for all of our friends and patients in Amherst, Cheektowaga, Lancaster, Snyder, or the Tonawandas!
We offer a full line of CPAP accessories along with the most up to date CPAP machines and masks at our new location.
As always, we feature the 30-day mask guarantee and lifetime support for your therapy. And, unlike other companies, all CPAP set-ups are performed by a licensed Respiratory Therapist.
Our office hours for this location are 10am to 6pm, Monday through Friday. Walk-ins are always welcome, or call to speak with one of our customer service representatives to schedule an appointment at (716)667-9600 option 3.
We'll see you there!
This is a question that your physician can surely answer - and it's always a good idea to get your physician’s approval prior to starting any exercise routine. There are so many excellent reasons why we should all strive to make exercise a part of our daily lives if our physician gives us the green light!
More than just helping to keep our weight down and maintaining good cardiovascular health, exercise can also help improve our attention, reduce risk of cognitive impairment, decrease risk of falls, help improve our coping skills, and basically improve our overall health. Exercise also helps prevent osteoporosis by helping to maintain bone strength. Research has shown that as people get older, often times they don’t view exercise an important part of their life any more. Just because we're aging doesn't mean we have to be sedentary. The vast majority of older adults should participate in physical activity on a regular basis - even those that have various health conditions.
It's recommended that seniors do moderate aerobic exercise (such as brisk walking) 30 minutes per day at least five days a week, or vigorous aerobic exercise (such as jogging or running) for 20 minutes a day three times a week. If you are at risk for falling, there are specific exercises you can do to work on your balance (such as standing on one leg at a time close to something stable).
To get started, choose a type of exercise you enjoy such as swimming, walking, dancing, etc. Make a plan - what type of exercise, how long, and on what days you'll be exercising - and then stick with the plan! Walking is a great way to get started. You don’t have to join a gym or hire a personal trainer. When weather doesn't permit you to walk outside, walk indoors at a shopping mall.
Remember, any exercise is better than none, and every little bit helps. Start today by trying to fit more activity into your daily life - park farther away from the building you are going into, take the stairs instead of the elevator, walk around the house during the commercials while watching TV. Just get up and MOVE - you'll be glad you did!
Camargo, RN, CRRN, Jan. (2014, May). Am I Too OLD or Too SICK to Exercise? The Pulmonary Press. Retrieved May 22, 2014 from http://email.medgroup.com/Respiratory/Pulmonary%20Press%20Newsletter_May%202014_Customizable.pdf.
If you're planning a vacation, and you or your child have allergies or asthma, proper planning can help you keep sneezes, sniffles, wheezing, and coughing under control. Use the following tips as a checklist from the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) to make sure that allergy misery doesn't derail your vacation fun.
Do your Homework:
- Check weather and pollen forecasts for your U.S. vacation choices, then plan accordingly. For example, if you're allergic to ragweed, New York can be significantly better early in August rather than later.
- Consider the beach or mountains. These locations are best bets for allergy sufferers any time of year. Ocean breezes are generally free of allergens, and dust mites don't thrive at elevations above 2,500 feet. Mold spores are killed by snow.
- Talk to your allergist. This is especially important if you are going to travel abroad and may need vaccinations or immunizations. You also may want to talk to your allergist about where you're going and what activities you may do. For example, locations with elevations above 5,000 feet may make breathing difficult and cold weather can be a trigger for asthma patients. Asthma patients also should discuss activities like scuba diving.
- Check access to medical care. If you are going to a remote location or on a cruise, you should inquiry about the type of medical care available.
Check Lodging Options:
- Request a non-smoking room with air conditioning (a little more difficult when traveling abroad).
- Check availability of a portable HEPA air purifier or HEPA filters for your room's air conditioner.
- Find out if wood, tile or seamless vinyl floors are available (a little less difficult when traveling abroad). Carpeting can be a breeding ground for dust mites.
- Consider renting a room with a kitchen or shipping food ahead if you have food allergies.
Pack your Suitcase:
- Medications. Don't forget to put them in your carry-on luggage — and in the original bottles to avoid questions from airport security and customs agents. Make sure you pack quick-relief medications for asthma and an epinephrine kit if you or a family member has food or insect sting allergies. You also might want to bring a topical hydrocortisone cream and an over-the-counter antihistamine.
- Shots. If you're being treated with allergy shots, make sure you get your scheduled shot before you leave. If you will be traveling for more than a few weeks, ask your allergist to provide a treatment dose to take with you, and the name of a local allergist who can give you the shot.
- Pillowcase. Consider packing your mite-proof pillowcases to help keep dust mites under control.
- Peak flow meter and nebulizer. These can help you monitor your breathing and deliver medication. Many nebulizers come with an adaptor you can plug into your car. If you are traveling abroad, make sure you bring an adaptor to convert the electrical current.
- Wipes for trays and tables. This can help protect travelers with food allergies.
- Translated information on your allergies. This can be shared with a chef when dining out in a foreign country.
Continue reading "Asthma and Allergy-free Vacations"
Living with COPD can be challenging, as the disease dramatically impacts your daily life. Often causing severe disability, a diagnosis of COPD can lead to feelings of hopelessness and helplessness.
As the disease progresses, any kind of physical activity or social interaction may prove difficult. Luckily, you can take back your independence and improve your quality of life by incorporating the following tips into your daily life:
Maintain a Safe Environment
Maintaining a safe environment is an important part of COPD management and should be moved to the top of your priority list. Safety, both inside and outside the home, will help to preserve your health and assist you in carrying out activities of daily living in a safe manner. Things that you can do to foster safety around your home include:
• Remove all throw rugs from the floors
• Place safety bars inside bathrooms, showers and bathtubs and along walkways both inside and outside the home
• Use a raised toilet seat
• Remove all cords and other debris from pathways inside and outside the home
• Ensure adequate lighting
• Use non-slip slippers or shoes when moving about the home
• Discard any medication expired or not in use in a safe place
• Do not allow yourself to be near anyone who smokes (especially if on oxygen).
• Write down emergency numbers and place in a visible place
Practice Effective Communication
Most of us take our ability to communicate with others for granted. But, with COPD, communication may become difficult due to extreme shortness of breath. It's important for you to know that it's OK to take your time speaking. Talk in short phrases or sentences and pause in between to rest if necessary.
Conserve Your Energy
Breathlessness is understandably the most frightening aspect of COPD. Unlike healthy people, breathing for a COPD patient involves a conscious effort and can be extremely challenging. Practicing energy conservation techniques will help you pace yourself so you can complete your activities of daily living and not get so out of breath.
Continue reading "Living with COPD"
Cleaning and maintaining your equipment and supplies is essential to your CPAP therapy. Whenever moisture is present, bacteria or mold can grow. Bacteria build up can lead to infections in your body, especially in your airway passages. Also, the oils in your skin and the minerals in tap water can cause premature breakdown in the materials used to manufacture your CPAP equipment, especially your mask. For these reasons it is important to properly clean and dry your equipment on a regular basis.
The following chart will help you properly care for your equipment:
As always, if you experience any trouble with your equipment or have questions about supplies, don't hesitate to
contact us!