COPD is a classification under which the following illnesses are categorized:

• Asthma
  • No age is exempt from asthma but this condition occurs most frequently in children and early adulthood. It is accompanied by wheezing caused by a bronchospasm in the airway or by swelling of the mucous membrane. This interferes with airflow. Bronchodilator therapy is used to decrease bronchospasms.
  • This brief description does not replace a medical doctor’s care and professional advice. If you demonstrate these symptoms please see a medical doctor.
• Bronchitis
  • This is inflammation of the mucous membrane in the bronchial tubes (airway). Several factors are responsible for this illness. It could be brought on after a common cold, exposure to the influenza virus, exposure to dust, and/or exposure to fumes to name a few. Doctor’s usually put patients on MDI’s (inhalants) and/or bronchodilator therapy (aerosol treatments).
  • This brief description does not replace a medical doctor’s care and professional advice. If you demonstrate these symptoms please see a medical doctor.
• Emphysema
  • One frequently seen symptom occurs when a patient demonstrates severe breathlessness. This is a chronic pulmonary disease and is also treated with bronchodilators and a host of other medications.
  • This brief description does not replace a medical doctor’s care and professional advice. If you demonstrate these symptoms please see a medical doctor
• Pulmonary Edem
  • Pulmonary Edema is caused by the pooling of fluid in the lungs due to left-sided heart failure. This interferes oxygen level in the circulatory system and a physician may prescribe oxygen therapy, medication, and/or respiratory care visits.
  • This brief description does not replace a medical doctor’s care and professional advice. If you demonstrate these symptoms please see a medical doctor.
• Respiratory Failure
  • This condition interferes with ventilation (breathing in and out). The lungs are unable to perform this function correctly. The exchange of gases (oxygen and carbon dioxide) may be impaired. A medical doctor may prescribe a non-invasive ventilator/RAD and a back up rate is used to help with the patient’s ventilation.
  • This brief description does not replace a medical doctor’s care and professional advice. If you demonstrate these symptoms please see a medical doctor.
• Lung Cancer
  • A patient is diagnosed with lung cancer when a malignant tumor is found in the lungs. These tumors spread rapidly to other parts of the body. A medical doctor usually treats lung cancer with different types of medication and respiratory care (oxygen therapy, nebulizer aerosol treatments, etc.) because it interferes with breathing.
  • This brief description does not replace a medical doctor’s care and professional advice. If you demonstrate these symptoms please see a medical doctor.

• This condition involves a failure of the heart to correctly pump blood to all chambers of the heart. CHF can create low oxygen levels in the circulatory system. CHF is very prevalent in the elderly population. Medical doctors usually treat this illness with medication and/or oxygen therapy.
• This brief description does not replace a medical doctor’s care and professional advice. If you demonstrate these symptoms please see a medical doctor.

• This is a medical condition/disease of the central nervous system. It can interfere with the patient’s body muscle control. A patient’s medical needs differ based on the stage the MS has reached. Therefore, medical doctors may prescribe many types of equipment. If the patient has difficulty raising and/or lowering their bodies the doctor may prescribe a total, semi, or manual hospital bed with rails or ambulatory aides for mobility.
• This brief description does not replace a medical doctor’s care and professional advice. If you demonstrate these symptoms please see a medical doctor.

• This illness can be congenital (present at birth) or hereditary (in your genetic makeup and may not present itself until later in life). It affects the voluntary muscles of the body. Muscular Dystrophy affects the diaphragm, the largest muscle in the body, which is responsible for respiration (inhaling and exhaling air). Eventually, the affect on the diaphragm leads medical doctors to prescribe oxygen therapy.
• This brief description does not replace a medical doctor’s care and professional advice. If you demonstrate these symptoms please see a medical doctor.

• A stroke is caused by a hemorrhage (bleeding) or blood clot in the brain. Many patients who have suffered a stroke experience some sort of paralysis (inability to move a body part or inability of a bodily function). Medical doctors usually treat this condition by prescribing wheelchairs or stroke walkers for patients suffering from paralysis to aide with mobility.
• This brief description does not replace a medical doctor’s care and professional advice. If you demonstrate these symptoms please see a medical doctor.

• This is temporary or permanent loss of bodily function(s). Some affects of Paralysis are the loss of sensation (feelings) or voluntary motion (walking). A medical doctor may prescribe a wheelchair, walker, cane, etc. to aide the patient with mobility.
• This brief description does not replace a medical doctor’s care and professional advice. If you demonstrate these symptoms please see a medical doctor.

• Rheumatoid Arthritis is a form of arthritis and includes agonizing stiffness and painful joints. A medical doctor may prescribe medication, canes, and/or walkers to assist with ambulation and relief from pain.
• This brief description does not replace a medical doctor’s care and professional advice. If you demonstrate these symptoms please see a medical doctor.

• This illness also involves pain in the patient’s joints, especially in areas of the body bearing weight. It destroys the cartilage and can cause overlapping of bones, which may result in the formation of spurs. A medical doctor may prescribe medication, canes, and/or walkers to assist with ambulation and relief from pain.
• This brief description does not replace a medical doctor’s care and professional advice. If you demonstrate these symptoms please see a medical doctor.

• Peripheral Neuropathy (dysfunction of the nerves and the blood flow), accidents, and/or Gangrene can cause unilateral or bilateral amputation of the lower extremities (legs). Medical doctors usually prescribe that the patient be fitted with an amputee wheelchair and cushion, bathroom aides, and high reachers.
• This brief description does not replace a medical doctor’s care and professional advice. If you demonstrate these symptoms please see a medical doctor.

• A patient is diagnosed with breast cancer when a malignant lump is found in one or both breasts. Usually breast cancer patients must undergo chemotherapy and/or surgical procedures i.e. a mastectomy or a lumpectomy. Medical doctors can prescribe special forms, bras, and hair wigs. All of which are available and completely fitted to suit each patient’s needs.
• This brief description does not replace a medical doctor’s care and professional advice. If you demonstrate these symptoms please see a medical doctor.

• A patient diagnosed with diabetes suffers from abnormal blood sugar levels. Patients suffering with diabetes can receive diabetic supplies and counseling on how to care for themselves. Diabetic patients must take special care when they have an open wound because the normal time period for healing to occur may be different than a patient who does not have Diabetes. Medical doctors can prescribe, glucometers, diabetic supplies i.e. strips and lancets, and/or diabetic shoes and socks to protect the patient’s feet from injury.
• This brief description does not replace a medical doctor’s care and professional advice. If you demonstrate these symptoms please see a medical doctor.

• This illness occurs in episodes when patients stop breathing during sleep. A medical doctor usually orders a ‘Sleep Study ’ . Then based on that report the doctor may order a C-PAP or Bi-PAP machine. This equipment allows the airway to stay open at certain levels of pressure.
• This brief description does not replace a medical doctor’s care and professional advice. If you demonstrate these symptoms please see a medical doctor.

• This condition affects both male and female patients. Symptoms include soreness, tenderness, and weakness of muscles in the hand. This is caused by pressure on a nerve where it enters the carpal tunnel. Patients get relief by wearing special braces to bed and during working hours.
• This brief description does not replace a medical doctor’s care and professional advice. If you demonstrate these symptoms please see a medical doctor.

• This occurs when there has been excessive use or force placed upon a particular part of the body. Patients often suffer from one or more of the following: knee, ankle, thumb, back, neck, etc. Medical doctors may prescribe a brace to help patients cope with the pain.
• This brief description does not replace a medical doctor’s care and professional advice. If you demonstrate these symptoms please see a medical doctor.