• Chronic Illness: Help for Caregivers Helping or caring for a loved one with a long-term (chronic) condition, such as COPD or heart failure, can feel like a lot to take on. Sometimes it can be hard for people to accept help. Or they may choose not to accept help. So you may have to adjust the way you think, ask, listen, and respond. These tips might help...
  • Avoiding COPD Triggers Learn how to avoid the things that make your COPD symptoms worse.
  • Using Oxygen Therapy at Home Learn how to safely use oxygen in your home.
  • COPD: Keeping Your Quality of Life Learn how you can stay as active and healthy as possible with COPD.
  • COPD Flare-Ups Sometimes your symptoms may get worse over a short time and stay bad. This is called a COPD exacerbation (say "ig-ZAS-ur-BAY-shun") or flare-up. A flare-up can be dangerous, so it's important to know what to do and take action. Your doctor can help...
  • COPD and Sex If you have a health condition that makes you tired, or if you're recovering from illness or injury, here are some ideas for conserving energy when you have sex or intimate time. Think about what could help you be more comfortable. Share your thoughts with your partner or partners, and come up with solutions together...
  • Pleural Effusion What is pleural effusion? A pleural effusion (say "PLER-uhl eh-FYOO-zhun") is the buildup of fluid in the pleural space. This is the space between the tissues lining the lungs and the chest wall. Because of the fluid buildup, the lungs may not be able to expand completely. This can make it hard to breathe. Most pleural...
  • Cystic Fibrosis Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a common genetic disease that causes mucus in the body to become thick and sticky. The mucus builds up and causes problems in many of the body's organs, especially the lungs and the pancreas. People who have CF can have...
  • Tuberculosis (TB) Screening The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends TB testing for people at increased risk for TB infection. These may include those who: Live with or spend time with someone who has TB. Were born in or lived in countries where TB is common. Live or have lived in crowded conditions where TB can easily spread...
  • Whooping Cough (Pertussis) What is whooping cough? Whooping cough (pertussis) is a disease that causes very severe coughing that may last for months. During bursts of violent coughing, you may make a noise that sounds like a "whoop" when you try to take a breath. You can cough so hard that you hurt a rib. Whooping cough spreads easily from one...

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