Welcome to COPD UNMUTED
COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, is the name for a group of lung diseases that make breathing difficult. COPD affects at least 16 million people in the United States– but the good news is that most people with COPD can live a full and healthy life!
COPD UNMUTED is an engaging, narrative-style podcast miniseries for those living with COPD and the people who care about them. Told by people with lived experience of COPD, as well as health experts, the COPD Podcast answers common questions about COPD: including how our lungs work, how COPD affects them, and most importantly, how COPD can be managed.
Listen and follow the COPD Podcast on your favorite podcast player– and share the series with someone in your life!
- What is COPD?
- What are the causes and risk factors?
- How is it diagnosed?
- How can I stop smoking?
- What treatments and therapies are available?
- What changes can I make to my lifestyle?
- What are exacerbations and flare-ups?
- And more…
Click here to view links and resources for this show
Trailer: Welcome to the COPD Podcast
COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, affects millions of people in the US and around the world. It's the name given to a group of different lung conditions that cause breathing difficulties. It's serious and has no cure, but it's also manageable. We'll get into all of that throughout this series. We hear from people living with COPD, and we also hear from health experts who treat people with COPD. Each epi...
Ep01: What Is COPD?
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, affects millions of people around the world-- and millions more may be undiagnosed. So what exactly is COPD? In this episode, you'll get to know your lungs better, learn about symptoms and causes, risk factors, and more. And you'll meet John and Jan, who share their experiences living with and managing the disease. For links to resources and information covered in this ...
Ep02: Kicking the Habit: Tips and Strategies to Quit Smoking
Smoking is the biggest risk factor for COPD, so the most important thing someone with COPD can do is stop smoking. Of course, this is much easier said than done! The good news is there are many strategies to help smokers kick their habit. We talk about them in this episode. Plus we learn how smoke affects the lungs and ask whether e-cigarettes are safe for people with COPD to use. For links to resources and informati...
Ep03: Taking Control of COPD: Medication and Pulmonary Rehabilitation
COPD is a lifelong condition, but it doesn't have to be a progressive one. Changes to diet and exercise and treatments like medication and pulmonary rehabilitation can help keep COPD from getting worse. In this episode, we talk about treatments for COPD. Plus, what can babies, opera singers, and harmonicas teach us about breathing? For links to resources and information covered in this series, visit our website at He...
Ep04: Treating COPD: Oxygen Therapy and Late-Stage Interventions
Some people with COPD may need a little extra oxygen to help make breathing easier. This is called oxygen therapy, and we cover it in this episode. We'll also learn how to travel safely with oxygen and what to do if you ever feel insecure about wearing your oxygen in public. Plus, we review several treatment options for people with advanced lung disease. For links to resources and information covered in this series, ...
Ep05: Living Well with COPD
John's diagnosis hasn't stopped him and his wife from doing all the things they love; life with COPD just looks a little different. In this episode, we learn why diet, exercise, quitting smoking, and other good habits are important to managing COPD. We also chat about pulmonary rehab, which has been life-changing for Jan and others. As always, we share resources to help you live your life on your terms. For links to ...
Ep06: Managing COPD Exacerbations or Flare-ups
An exacerbation, or "flare-up," can look different for different people, like coughing fits, extreme tiredness, or fever. Practicing good health habits can help prevent flare-ups in the first place. But when you have a flare-up, it's important to get treated right away. In this episode, we'll answer questions like: what is the difference between a flare up and a "bad day"? How can you create a plan with your care tea...
Ep07: Diagnosing Genetic COPD
Most of the time, COPD is caused by smoking and other pollutants. But in some cases, COPD is caused by a genetic condition called alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, also known as "alpha-1." In this episode, we talk about what alpha-1 is, what causes it, how it's treated, and why getting genetic testing for alpha-1 is so important. For links to resources and information covered in this series, visit our website at Health...