Winter is a perilous time if you have a compromised immune system, but you can’t stay alone inside for four months. You have to get on with your daily life, and just hope you don’t succumb to other people’s bugs and illnesses. However, there are some foods that can help you avoid catching a cold…
Invisible illnesses are conditions patients have that are not obvious when looking at them. Often people with an invisible illness face a lot of prejudice; others accuse them of faking, lying or exaggerating their illness. People just don’t fully understand what patients with invisible illnesses are going through.
Everyone suffers from stress from time to time but when you have a chronic disease, stress not only adds to your everyday burden but can often exacerbate the symptoms of your condition. While we can’t avoid stress altogether, there are ways that we help ourselves relax more and not let things…
In this PeerView Press video, pulmonologist Dr. David J. Lederer discusses idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), with a focus on personalized care through communications and innovative strategies. He is joined by primary care physician Dr. Steven J. Antonini and pulmonary fibrosis patient Robert Brynteson. Read about six lesser-known symptoms of…
Vitamin D is often called the “sunshine vitamin,” mostly because we get it naturally when the sun’s UV rays interact with our skin, which triggers the vitamin’s synthesis. The vitamin helps our body’s absorption of calcium to keep our bones strong and encourage healthy cells to grow. Last year, researchers demonstrated the protective effects of vitamin…
If you’ve recently been diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, there are probably loads of questions running through your mind.  Here are some of the most important questions you should ask your doctor according to the American Lung Association. 1. “What is pulmonary fibrosis?” Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) literally means scarring of the lungs.
Anyone with a chronic illness will testify that they spend a lot of time in the doctor’s office having blood work done. Which means getting pricked with a lot of needles, which can sometimes take two or three (or more) attempts to find a compliant vein. Here are some…
What’s it like taking care of someone who’s had a lung transplant? In this video from Gifted Life, 26-year-old Lauren and her mom explain what it’s like looking after someone who has a chronic lung condition and the differences between pre- and post-transplant caregiving. Learn more…
This video from Adam Karm titled “The Best Mom in the World” is all about the Packer family. Thirty-three-year-old Stephanie Packer was diagnosed with diffuse scleroderma in 2012 and now, as a result, suffers from pulmonary fibrosis. Wondering how you can better manage you pulmonary fibrosis?…
Diagnosing pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is complicated. Symptoms can mirror those of other lung disorders like asthma, pulmonary hypertension or chronic obstruction pulmonary disease (COPD). Because of this, six different diagnostic tools are needed for an accurate diagnosis of PF, according to the American Lung Association. 1. Chest x-ray…
Get regular updates to your inbox.
