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Let’s talk about a dirty little secret in COPD care: most people are using their inhalers all wrong. Studies show that up to 90% of patients don’t use their devices correctly. Think about that. You could be doing everything else right—taking your walks, eating well—but if that vital medicine isn’t getting deep into your lungs where it belongs, you’re just going through the motions.

It’s like having a key to your front door, but fumbling with the lock. You never quite get inside. The result? Poor symptom control, more flare-ups, and a feeling that your treatments “just don’t work.”

The Usual Suspects: Where Your Inhaler Routine Goes Wrong

Different inhalers have different tricks. Here’s where things often fall apart:

• The Spray-and-Pray (Metered-Dose Inhalers): The classic “puffer” requires a perfect sync between pressing the canister and breathing in slowly. A split-second mistiming, and the medicine sprays onto your tongue or the back of your throat instead of your airways.
• The Weak Suck (Dry Powder Inhalers): These devices don’t spray; they require you to breathe in forcefully and deeply to pull the powder out. A gentle, shallow breath won’t cut it.
• The Exhale Fumble: Blowing into your inhaler before you inhale can ruin the dose in a dry powder device.
• The Forgotten Hold: Not holding your breath for 5-10 seconds after inhaling means the medicine doesn’t have time to settle in your lungs.

Take Control: Become the Boss of Your Puffs

You don’t have to be part of that 90%. You can make sure every dose counts.

1. Demand a Demo. Don’t Just Nod. The next time you see your doctor or pharmacist, don’t just say “I’ve got it.” Bring your inhaler and show them your technique. Let them coach you. There’s no shame in getting it right.
2. Ask About a Spacer. If you use a metered-dose inhaler (puffer), a spacer or valved holding chamber is a game-changer. It acts like a middleman, holding the medicine in a chamber so you can inhale it slowly and deeply, with no timing required. It dramatically improves how much medicine reaches your lungs.
3. Stick to the Script. Rescue inhalers (like albuterol) are for sudden symptoms. Maintenance inhalers are for every day, whether you feel great or not. Using your maintenance meds consistently is what keeps the inflammation down and prevents bad days. Skipping them because you “feel fine” is like canceling your insurance right before a storm.

Your inhaler is one of the most powerful tools in your toolbox. But a tool is only as good as the person using it. Take the time to master it. Your lungs will thank you for it.

You know that little chirp your smoke alarm gives when the battery is low? It’s annoying, but you learn to ignore it… until it stops, and you forget about it entirely. Now, imagine that chirp is your body.

For many folks, COPD starts not with a bang, but with a series of subtle, easy-to-dismiss chirps. We’re masters at making excuses: “I’m just getting older,” “I’m out of shape,” or “It’s just a smoker’s cough.”

But what if your body is trying to sound a real alarm? Ignoring the early signs of COPD is like disconnecting that smoke alarm while a fire slowly smolders in the walls.

Decode the Chirps: Is Your Body Trying to Tell You Something?

Stop for a moment and listen. Have you noticed any of these “chirps”?

• The “I’m Just Out of Shape” Chirp: Do you find yourself catching your breath doing things that used to be easy? Taking the elevator for one flight? Avoiding a walk with your spouse? This isn’t about fitness; it’s about your lungs struggling to keep up.
• The “Morning Cough” Chirp: That daily cough that brings up phlegm isn’t normal. Writing it off as “just part of my routine” is ignoring a key early warning sign.
• The “I’m Always Tired” Chirp: Feeling constantly worn out, even after a full night’s sleep? Your body may be working overtime just to breathe, leaving no energy for anything else.
• The “Whistling Chest” Chirp: Do you or your loved ones hear a faint whistling or rattling sound in your chest when you breathe? That’s not just a quirk; it’s the sound of air struggling to move through narrowed airways.

From Chirp to Clarity: Your Next Step is Simpler Than You Think

Hearing these chirps can be scary. The fear of what the doctor might find is a powerful reason to stay put. But knowledge is power, and clarity is a gift you give your future self.

The first step isn’t scary or painful. It’s a conversation. Talk to your doctor about your symptoms. They might suggest a simple, painless test called spirometry, where you blow into a tube. It’s the gold standard for checking how well your lungs are working.

Finding out early is a game-changer. It gives you the maximum power to slow the disease’s progress, protect your lungs, and preserve your quality of life for years to come.

Don’t wait for the alarm to become a siren. Listen to the chirps. Your future self will thank you for it.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) might not be in the spotlight like some other diseases, but it’s a serious health issue that we need to address.

In today’s podcast episode, we talked about COPD, how it affects people, and the work of COPD Canada to give patients a stronger voice.

COPD is a term that covers chronic bronchitis and emphysema. It’s the third leading cause of death in Canada, and sends more people to the hospital than anything else, except for COVID-19 and pregnancy.

What’s surprising is that it takes more lives than other chronic diseases, including asthma.

Here’s the question: Are we giving COPD the attention it deserves, like we do for heart problems and diabetes?

Our recent podcast focused on the details of COPD. It’s not just about the medical side – it’s also about the struggles that patients face but aren’t always seen.

Today you’ll learn:

• The impact of COVID-19 on COPD patients
• The role and objectives of COPD Canada
• The importance of spirometry testing in diagnosing COPD
• The potential future risks of COPD from new exposures like marijuana and e-cigarettes

Every year, millions of people worldwide struggle with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD),making it the third leading cause of death globally. COPD isn’t just about labored breathing; it’s a relentless battle that affects patients’ quality of life and burdens healthcare systems.

In the second episode of the eXpand podcast, we dive into how we can turn the tide in the fight against COPD.

Our guest, Dr. Moises Bhutani, is a distinguished figure in the field of respiratory medicine. He has dedicated his career to improving the lives of COPD patients. His expertise and dedication are driving a transformation in the way we approach COPD care.

In this episode, you’ll gain insights into the world of COPD treatment and discover how it’s evolving to provide better outcomes for patients.

Today you’ll learn:

• The severity of COPD as a leading cause of hospitalizations and its potential for treatment improvement.
• The significance of integrating both non-pharmacological and pharmacological treatments in managing COPD effectively.
• How standardized treatment protocols have the potential to reduce mortality rates and change the landscape of COPD care.

COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, is a condition caused by damage to the airways or other parts of the lung. This damage leads to inflammation and other problems that block airflow and make it hard to breathe.

COPD can cause coughing that produces large amounts of a slimy substance called mucus . It can also cause breathing problems, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and other symptoms . Because COPD is a progressive disease, its symptoms often develop slowly but worsen over time and can limit your ability to do routine activities. Serious COPD may prevent you from doing even basic activities such as walking, cooking, or taking care of yourself.

The term COPD refers to two main conditions:

• Emphysema develops when there is damage to the walls between many of the air sacs in the lungs. Normally, these sacs are elastic or stretchy. When you breathe in, each air sac fills up with air, like a small balloon. When you breathe out, the air sacs deflate, and the air goes out. In emphysema, it is harder for your lungs to move air out of your body. 

• Chronic (long-term) bronchitis is caused by repeated or constant irritation and inflammation in the lining of the airways. A lot of thick mucus forms in the airways, making it hard to breathe. 

Most people who have COPD have a mixture of both emphysema and chronic bronchitis in different proportions, and how serious each condition is varies from person to person. 

In the United States, COPD affects more than 14 million adults, and many others do not know they have it. More than half of those diagnosed are women. Rates are higher than average in American Indian and Alaska Native communities and in rural areas. COPD is a major cause of disability, and it is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.