Louise M. Nett

The Role of Long-term Continuous Oxygen Administration in Patients with Chronic Airway Obstruction with Hypoxemia

Excerpt Oxygen is a valuable therapeutic tool for patients with chronic airway obstruction with hypoxemia. The applications of oxygen in acute respiratory decompensation (1-3) and as an adjunct to ...

A Comprehensive Care Program for Chronic Airway Obstruction: Methods and Preliminary Evaluation of Symptomatic and Functional Improvement

Abstract A comprehensive care program for patients witn chronic airway obstruction (emphysema and chronic bronchitis) is described. The major portion of the program uses systematic, organized outpa...

Why Emphysema Patients Are The Way They Are

His breathing is labored, and you cannot help but wonder why this patient with emphysema waited so long before he sought help. And now that he is here, you wonder, occasionally with anger, why there are times when he will not accept the help you offer. From their respiratory care unit experience, these authors offer some reasons for this patients behavior.

A New IPPB Device for Bronchial Hygiene

Bronchial hygiene-removal of pulmonary secretions-is fundamental in the care of patients who have chronic airway obstruction (CAO) due to emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Performed regularly, it gives marked symptomatic relief(1,2). In addition, actual improvement in lung function occurs in many cases(3). The first step in the bronchial hygiene procedure is the inhalation of bronchodilator drugs to combat mucosal edema and bronchospasm. Following this, the patient inhales moisture in the form of aerosolized water or steam for a 10to 15-min-

Home Inhalation Equipment For Less Than

To the Editor:— Nebulized bronchodilators and steam are useful to provide effective bronchial hygiene in many patients with chronic obstructive lung disease (emphysema and chronic bronchitis). The bronchodilator drug is indicated to combat bronchial mucosal edema and smooth muscle spasm (bronchospasm). Inhalation of steam helps moisturize and thin secretions to provide ease in removal by coughing or in-bed postural drainage maneuvers. This type of sequential therapeutic program is the mainstay of home management for many patients with marked airway resistance caused both by bronchospasm and by retained secretions. The available equipment designed to power nebulizers (pump and intermittent positive pressure respirator [IPPR] and humidifiers is excellent in design, but expensive. Simple hand bulb nebulizers require the patients coordination and some degree of strength; sufficient hand strength is lacking in many patients who are chronically ill, and pain is a problem in patients with inflammatory arthritis. The adaptation of a tire