Get documents about "Tips for Traveling with COPD and Other Related Lung
Document Sample
December 2007
Tips for Traveling with COPD and
A publication of
Breathe California Other Related Lung Diseases
of the Bay Area
Source: COPD International
As you embark on this holiday • Always consult you doctor ahead
season, don’t let lung disease keep of time for prolonged trips. Take
you at home. With the right planning a copy of your prescriptions and
You can also read and preparation, everyone can have maybe even your medical history
Better Breathing a safe, stress-free holiday travel in case you need to see another
online: season. Whether you plan a long or doctor while away from home.
short trip, these tips will help you
Click on the prepare for the unexpected and give • If you travel with oxygen, consult
“Newsletters” link from you a guideline to make your journey your supplier ahead of time and
the Newsroom to view a safe and satisfying one. inquire about the various other
the latest edition of all oxygen carriers around the
of our publications. Be prepared for an emergency: nation. Like your medication,
take a current prescription for
• It is best to be prepared for any
your oxygen requirements in
emergency because you never
case you need to get more at
know when you will be traveling
your destination.
longer or unexpectedly taking
Also Inside another stop. Always take a full • There are also travel
day supply of your medications concentrators that can be taken
♦ Living with COPD? for short trips and request extra on longer trips, which are lighter
Take a Breath, p. 2 medication from your doctor for
longer trips. Continued on page 2
♦ Air District Debates
Ban on Wood Fires,
p. 3
♦ Avoid Taxes on
Donations Made
from IRAs, p. 3
♦ Upcoming BBC
Meetings, p. 4
Page 2
Tips for Traveling with COPD…
LIVING Continued from page 1
WITH and easier than the ones at
home. It is important to have
contact them ahead of time to
inquire about your special needs
COPD? enough oxygen at all times or a
backup plan because a number
and what they allow.
of things can go wrong like tanks Know your destination:
Take a Breath malfunctioning, unexpected • If you’re taking a short trip,
travel delays, etc. consider the environmental
If you are a current or differences of your destination
previous smoker and Plan according to your mode of and places along the route.
have been diagnosed
transportation: Altitude, weather, and humidity
with chronic obstructive
bronchitis or • If traveling by car: In order to are only a few of the things that
emphysema, the two avoid vehicle fumes and air can differ from your home and it
conditions that make up pollution, it is useful to keep your is important to be aware of these
Chronic Obstructive air conditioning on as much as differences ahead of time and
Pulmonary Disease possible. Also when traveling make the proper arrangements.
(COPD), we may have
through high pollution or heavily
the option for you. • Find a physician and equipment
congested areas, it is better to
provider at your destination. If
We are conducting a limit your driving to nighttime or
traveling by car, it is smart to find
research study that will early in the day. Place oxygen
determine whether a
a few along your route as well.
somewhere it will not roll around
once-a-day dose of an and be sure not to leave it in the
investigational Take it slow:
car in hot weather.
medication will • For day trips, make sure to leave
effectively improve your • If traveling by airplane: Many time for rest breaks to move
breathing for 24 hours. airlines require long notice before around and stretch. Leaving time
All study-related care is
your actual travel date if you are for breaks will also avoid a rush
provided including traveling with oxygen. Some to make your destination on time.
physical exams, lab airlines will not allow you to travel This can also be done on
services and study on the airplane with your own airplanes and trains. Although
medication (at no oxygen, so it is necessary to there is limited space, it is still
charge). Compensation arrange your oxygen needs with possible to get up and stretch or
for time and travel may
the airline far ahead of time. move around and this will help
be available.
Oxygen expenses often must be avoid blood clots and swelling,
To learn more, call: paid out of pocket and cannot be both of which people with COPD
Marie Thompson at reimbursed. It is also smart to put are prone to.
(408) 553-0709 ext 237 medications in your carry-on
luggage and maybe even bring Traveling can be fun and good for
another bag for extra medication your overall well-being, so don’t let
Allergy & Asthma
Associates of Santa
in case your carry-on bag is lost. lung disease stop you from enjoying
the experience. With advanced
Clara Valley Research • If traveling by bus or train: Most
Center preparation and the right planning,
4050 Moorpark Ave, #6
buses and trains allow you to
you can fully enjoy the holiday
San Jose, CA 95117 bring your own oxygen
season with family and friends.
equipment but it is important to
Page 3
Air District Debates Ban on Wood Fires
Source: San Jose Mercury News, November 6, 2007
In the The Bay Area Air Quality health effects like sever asthma and
News Management District is proposing to emphysema symptoms that can
ban wood fires on “Spare the Air” even be deadly for the elderly.
Each month, we are nights and prohibit the installation of
proud to bring you new open hearth fireplaces in homes The considered rule would also ban
some of the latest and buildings. The proposed ban the installation of new open hearth
news affecting lung would implement a small fine or fireplaces, which lack emission
disease patients. You ticket to anyone in the Bay Area who control, to limit wood burning in the
can also find more burned wood on chilly, “Spare the future. Along with the wood burning
news briefs and Air” nights. Fines would be given rules, the district considers to require
articles online by
based largely on public complaint. the sale of low-moisture firewood
visiting:
and prohibit the burning of garbage.
www.lungsrus.org The proposed ban has gained wide
attention in the Bay Area as the District administrators have been
Click on the News link threat of wood smoke has increased holding public workshops to decide if
from the menu bar to in years. The tiny smoke particles the draft should be revised before
reach our newsroom. from burning wood can pass through passing it on to the district air board.
From there, you can the nose and throat and lodge deep No date has been set for the rule to
view individual articles in the lungs. This can cause serious take effect.
by clicking on the
“News Briefs” link.
Avoid Taxes on Donations Made From IRAs
From the Newsroom, Source: Planned Giving Associates, October 26, 2007
you can also read
about the agency’s You only have two months left to there will be no tax on the amount
latest work in the take advantage of one of the most distributed to the charity.
community. Click on significant pieces of charitable giving
the “Agency News” link legislation passed in the last few These distributions cannot be made
to view our latest
years. The law, PPA 2006, allows to supporting organizations or donor
articles and press
releases. someone over 70 ½ with an IRA or advised funds. They also cannot be
Roth IRA to contribute up to used to fund split interest gifts where
$100,000 ($200,000 for couples who a life interest is helped by the donor
The following news both have IRAs) to eligible non- or another private party. Please
briefs have been profits – like Breathe California – contact Steve French at 408-998-
summarized from directly from their account, without 5865 for more details and consult
external sources and incurring any taxes. with your own tax advisor prior to
have been placed here making this type of gift.
solely to inform you of While the donation is no longer tax
the latest in lung deductible, contributions will not Note: Donating appreciated stocks
health news. Breathe force someone into a higher tax can also have significant tax
California does not
bracket, as in the past. Another advantages. Call us to learn more
endorse their findings
nor have they verified
advantage of PPA 2006 is that the about these tax-wise giving options
their accuracy. transfer will count towards your today!
minimum required distribution and
Page 4
Upcoming Better Breathers Club Meetings
Better Breathing Thursday, December 6th, 11:00 am to 12:00 pm – Gilroy
is a publication of: St. Louise Hospital Board Room, 9400 No Name Uno
Breathe California “Keeping Your Energy Up During the Holidays”
of the Bay Area Speaker: Julie Groves, OTRL from Therapy In Your Home
1469 Park Avenue
San Jose, CA 95126 Monday, December 10th, 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm – Palo Alto
Avenidas Senior Center, 450 Bryant Street
(408) 998-5865
“Keeping Your Energy Up During the Holidays”
www.lungsrus.org
Julie Groves, OTRL from Therapy In Your Home
*Monday, December 17th, 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm – San Jose*
As the local lung Breathe California Offices, 1469 Park Avenue
health leader, Breathe “Keeping Your Energy Up During the Holidays”
California of the Bay Julie Groves, OTRL from Therapy In Your Home
Area fights lung disease
in all its forms and works
with its communities to *Please note that the San Jose BBC’s December meeting
promote lung health. is scheduled two weeks early due to the Christmas holiday.
A Look Ahead: Our January BBC Meetings
Palo Alto – Monday, January 14th, 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm
San Jose – Monday, January 28th, 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm
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