Good Day to all my friends here at Welcome To My Little Corner Of The World !

I was recently contacted by Kat Sanders who is working on her Pharmacist Technitian Certification she asked if I could help her out by posting the following. As you all know I usually post from my personal experiences in this case I made an exception. Another p0st will follow from me with regards to my recent hospitalization. Until we meet again my friends, remember
Inhale ~~~123

Exhale ~~~~1234

Breathe Easy,
Sandy

5 Ways to Improve Your Lung Health

If you’re a sportsperson, athlete, singer, swimmer or in any other field where you are mostly likely to run out of breath, you definitely need to work on improving your lung capacity. In short, you need to exercise and train your lungs just as you would any other part of your body that you want to improve. The best part of training your lungs is that it brings you a host of other benefits and improves other skills as well. So here goes, if you’re looking to improve the health of your lungs, here’s what you need to do:
· Practice underwater breathing: Even if you’re not a swimmer, you can improve the capacity of your lungs by testing your limits under the water. Increase your timings by a few seconds each day and see how your lungs progress. Make sure that you do have someone with you though to prevent anything untoward from happening.
· Get involved in intense cardio workouts: Cardio workouts like jogging, running, cycling, swimming, dancing, aerobics and others are bound to get your heart racing and have you panting for breath. Start out slowly and increase your pace and time as the days go by. The key to improving lung health and capacity is to train every day and increase your intensity every week. If you stick to the same routine day after day, your body becomes used to it and you are stuck on a plateau instead of climbing higher.
· Regulate your breathing: Take some time every day to meditate and regulate your breathing – taking long; deep breaths of clean, fresh air can be invigorating and refreshing to your lungs.
· Say no to tobacco and alcohol: If you want your lungs to be healthy and strong, you must definitely say no to cigarettes, alcohol and other illegal drugs. Smoking is hazardous to health and puts you at a high risk of cancer and other respiratory diseases. Even if you do not smoke, you need to ensure that you don’t hang around or live with people who do, because second-hand smoke can be just as dangerous as inhaling it yourself.
· Maintain an optimal weight and eat the right foods: You need to get your body fit and healthy if you want your lungs to function well. If you’re obese or overweight, you need to first work on bringing down your weight. Besides this, you need to eat foods that are rich in Vitamins C and E and in beta carotene, like fruits and vegetables.
By-line:
This article is written by Kat Sanders, who regularly blogs on the topic of pharmacist technician certification at her blog The Pharm Tech Blog. She welcomes your comments and questions at her email address: katsanders25@gmail.com.

Vitamin D and Asthma

Issue Date: May 31, 2009

Good Day to all my friends here at "Welcome To My Little Corner Of The World" I found this article today in USA Weekend and thought it was interesting.
Enjoy the day ~~~~

Until we meet again my friends...Remember,

Inhale ~~~123
Exhale ~~~~1234

Breathe Easy,
Sandy

Also: More HealthSmart
Asthma's possible link to vitamin D
Low levels of this nutrient may worsen asthma.
Every day, 40,000 Americans miss work or school and nearly 5,000 visit the ER because of asthma. About 20 million suffer from the disease, and its impact is huge, personally and economically. That's why researchers study asthma's various links, looking for any modifiable associations.
Researchers from Harvard, the Medical University of South Carolina and the Hospital Nacional de Ni–os in San José, Costa Rica, recently studied a link between asthma and vitamin D levels. They studied 616 asthmatic kids, ages 6 to 14, and found that low levels of vitamin D were associated with higher levels of IgE and eosinophils (both are markers of immune activity). Also, the children with higher vitamin D levels were less likely to have required treatment in the year before the evaluation. The data suggest a link between low levels of the vitamin and asthma, adding to the growing body of science showing that vitamin D may be important for more than just bone health.
Further research is needed, but in the meantime, you can increase your intake of vitamin D by getting exposure to sunlight, consuming fortified foods such as milk, and eating fatty fish and fish oils.
Tedd Mitchell, M.D., president and CEO of Dallas' Cooper Clinic, writes HealthSmart every week.

Another mile stone for us !

I just had to share this will everyone !...Until we meet again my friends remember,
Inhale ~~~123
Exhale ~~~~1234
Breathe Easy,
Sandy

Dear Sandra
On May 27, 2009, Florida's Governor signed into law the bill to increases the cigarette tax with a $1 per pack surcharge! Congratulations to all the tobacco control advocates who have work tirelessly over years to reduce tobacco use by our youth and adults!

American Lung Association in Florida
Final Legislative Report
May 28, 2009

The 2009 Session of the Florida Legislature concluded on Friday, May 7th, one week late. The Legislature adopted a $66.5 billion dollar budget and passed just 238 of the 2369 pieces of legislation filed. The Governor signed the budget on May 27th.

The 2009 Session was dominated by a leadership crisis and extreme fiscal stress. In late January Speaker of the House Ray Sansom resigned his post as Speaker amidst allegations that he illegally obtained state funding for a local college in his district and then benefited from that action by accepting a full-time job at the college. Sansom was indicted in April. Sansom was replaced as Speaker by Rep. Larry Cretul. Cretul was thrust into the job and had to lead a legislature that was delayed and distracted by the ethics scandal.

The nation’s fiscal meltdown was another dominant element of the Session. Conservative Republican legislative leaders confronted the largest revenue decrease since the early 1970s and are constitutionally mandated to pass a balanced state budget. In the last two years the legislature already trimmed more than $6 billion from Florida’s budget. Pledges of “no new taxes” and “living within our means” became harder and harder to maintain. State revenues are shrinking as the need for government services to the economically distressed, and newly-distressed, citizens increases. Even the infusion of Federal Economic Stimulus dollars totaling more than $4 billion to state government still left a projected shortfall of $3.5 billion. Moreover, the timing of the Federal Stimulus dollars flowing to Florida did not neatly coincide with the timing of the state’s appropriations process. Corporate taxes, elimination of business-friendly sales tax exemptions and increased “user” fees were all suggested as means to close Florida’s revenue front. Inserting these factors into the normal challenges facing a state of 18 million citizens and one of the largest economies in the world means that there was no “politics as usual” in the 2009 Session.

Tobacco Surcharge
Against all odds and powerful lobbying efforts by the tobacco industry, retailers and wholesalers, the Legislature increased the current cigarette excise tax with a $1.00 per pack surcharge and imposed a surcharge of 60% of the wholesale price on other tobacco products. The bill also provides regulations for internet and mail order sales that require a two carton minimum purchase and valid proof of age at the time of delivery. It also requires Indian reservations to collect the surcharge on sales to nontribal members. The surcharge is expected to generate close to $1 billion in revenue for the state, and will help fund Medicaid as well as other health care programs and services. The revenues from this surcharge proved to be the linchpin in budget negotiations. The Governor signed the bill into law on May 27th.

Biomedical Research Funding
Initial House and Senate health and human services proposed budgets included reductions in biomedical research funding from general revenue. However, revenues from the tobacco surcharge include a major policy shift in this area.

House and Senate budget negotiators agreed to increases in the biomedical research program. Five percent of the tobacco surcharge revenue, up to $50 million will be dedicated to the Jim and Esther King and Bankhead-Coley Biomedical Research Programs will each receiving approximately $25 million this year.

Comprehensive Tobacco Control Education and Use Prevention Program
The budget includes $63,841,232 for the tobacco control program and is allocated as follows:
Four Staff positions $ 300,583
State & Community Interventions 10,927,545
State & Community Interventions (AHEC) 6,000,000
Health Communications Interventions 20,613,744
Cessation Interventions 11,831,565
Cessation Interventions (AHEC) 4,000,000
Surveillance & Evaluation 5,376,317
Administration & Management 2,791,478

Also, the Legislature allowed $2,000,000 from unexpended funds for last year’s Fixed Capitol Outlay to be used to provide nicotine replacement therapy.



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Germs, Germs, Germs ~~~

Good Afternoon to all my friends here at "Welcome To My Little Corner Of The World"

Here we are again "Flu Season" is here, yes I know I posted about this before but, think about this, how many times have we been to the grocery store and made sure we used those little sanitary wipes most stores supply by the carriages and wiped down the handle before we touch it I know I have. I open doors with a wipe unless of course if it is automated.

Well how about pumping gas hmmmmm....same rule applies Please use those sanitized Wipes & wipe off that gas pump~~~~how many people before you have touched it..

We all have to be so very careful, some one once said to me, Sandy aren't over doing it..I replied it's like this I have a disease which will not go away and I do not want to aggravate it by being careless their reply..oh I never thought about that...now it makes sense...As I have said before my friends..".Sick Lungs Don't Show" The more we spread the word more folks will understand how we feel.

So until we meet again my friends remember,

Inhale~~~123
Exhale~~~~1234

Breathe Easy,
Sandy
t

Helpful Hints/Living with COPD

Good Morning to all my friends here at "Welcome To My Little Corner Of The World" In a previous post I mentioned a few helpful hints to make our daily tasks easier well a friend of mine
forwarded the following information to me and I wanted to share it with everyone.

Until we meet again my friends remember,

Inhale ~~~123
Exhale ~~~~1234

Breathe Easy,
Sandy

Johns Hopkins Health Alerts: Lung Disorders Conserving Energy When You Have COPD If you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), you know that going about your daily routine can be exhausting. Even though activities such as bathing, grooming, and dressing require a great deal of energy,careful planning can help you get through these tasks more quickly and with less effort. Here's some straight-talking advice from Johns Hopkins. ________________________________If you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), you know that going about your daily routine can be exhausting. Even though activities such as bathing, grooming, and dressing require a great deal of energy, careful planning can help you get through these tasks more quickly and with less effort. Here's some straight-talking advice from Johns Hopkins.First, plan to bathe, groom, and dress at times when you're feeling most energetic. Second, gather all the supplies you will need before you start. Bathing with COPD* Instead of standing in the shower, use a bath stool or take baths. * Because excess humidity can make it tougher to breathe with COPD, use warm water rather than hot, leave the bathroom door open,turn on exhaust fans, and open a window whenever possible. * If washing your hair in the shower, tub, or sink is difficult, ask someone else to do it for you. * Using a long-handled brush or sponge can eliminate reaching to wash your back and feet.* If you rely on oxygen for your COPD, you can still use it while in the tub or shower -- just drape the tube over the shower rod or side of the tub. * Dry off by wearing a long terry cloth robe and blotting rather than using a towel to rub yourself dry -- it takes less effort. Grooming with COPD * Choose a simple hairstyle that doesn't require extensive blow drying or styling.* Conserve energy by sitting in front of a low mirror when shaving or applying makeup, rather than standing bent over the bathroom sink. * Avoid products that are aerosol's or heavily scented,which will irritate the lungs. * Perfumes and colognes may also make it more difficult for you to breathe with COPD, so avoid using these products. Dressing with COPD * Keep your clothes in places that don't require you to bend or reach.* If you're most energetic in the evenings, plan ahead and lay out tomorrow's clothes the night before. * Avoid tight-fitting clothing that can make breathing difficult. For example, men can wear suspenders instead of belts, and women can wear camisoles or sports bras instead of regular bras. * Don't wear socks or stockings with elastic bands, since they can restrict circulation. (Support hosiery recommended by your doctor is the exception.) * Slip-on shoes mean you don't have to bend over to tie shoelaces. A long shoehorn can also make it easier to put shoes on. * To conserve energy with COPD, stay seated as long as possible while dressing, and dress your lower half first, as it is usually more difficult. Putting your underwear inside your pants and pulling both on together may be helpful as well. Johns Hopkins White Papers Logo<http://www.johnshopkinshealthalerts.com/images/spacer.gif>

Smoking is a DRAG !

Hello to all my friends here at "Welcome To My Little Corner Of The World"...in fact I just may rename it to "Our Little Corner Of The World"...let me know what you think ok...

Now for this post I mentioned in an earlier post about the "Relay For Life" that I could not attend well a co-worker sent me these pictures which show a mutual friend dressed as a "Drag Queen"...now think of this.. like I used to.....drag on a cigarette and you will get the picture...see above: OK now you get the picture ! "Smoking Is A Drag!" This gal was awesome in her presentation of the "Drag Queen" I just wish more folks would follow her lead !

It is thru folks like Linda and her advocasy against cigarette smoking makes our lives much better and our air easier to breathe...Thank You Linda !

Now remember my friends until we meet again...

Inhale ~~~123

Exhale ~~~~1234

Breathe Easy,

Sandy

PFT Results

Welcome to all my friends here at "Welcome To My Little Corner Of The World" In case you did not know we have 3 cases of Swine Flu here in Fl0rida and I have been assured by my Pulmonologist today that I should continue doing what I have been doing...stay away from crowds, avoid sick people and wash, wash, your hands. Also when you sneeze, sneeze into your arm and if you use a tissue throw it away right away ! Then wash your hands to the tune of "Happy Birthday To Me," repeat 4 times. I also use disposable gloves going anywhere, opening doors pressing buttons on an elevator etc...sure does make a difference. Then I toss them out.

Now for the update on my PFT today the Dr. showed me the results and the chart showed what I thought was an increase in my lung capacity..wrong ! it showed how much "Stale Air" i have in my lungs...sooooo PLB is a must to help get that stale (trapped air) out! Continue the O2 24/7
As long as I can get up and breathe it is going to be a great day !


I have been referred to a program to start Pulmonary Rehab. I am looking forward to that When I was first diagnosed with COPD while living in New Hampshire I went thru that program and let me tell you it is the best program ever to help those of us with this Lung Disease I thoroughly applaud it.

One more thing while I was having the PFT it came time for me to have the 2nd part which included a "Breathing Treatment" to include Albuterol to open my airways now, the Therapist opened the bag which held the tube and mouth piece and removed it and handed it to me with the med. in it...I said why aren't you wearing gloves he replied my hands are clean I replied I dont know that..you should be wearing gloves he did not reply.

I brought this to the attention to the nurse she said she would look into it...

So...until we meet again my friends,
Remember,

Inhale ~~~123
Exhale~~~~1234