November is here and so is the respiratory virus season. For patients with PAH and IPF this means that we have to worry about avoiding friends with respiratory symptoms (cough, runny nose, sneezing). Protecting yourself also means getting a flu shot. This is not a low priority item on your to do list. Make it a top priority. Each year 36,000 Americans die from influenza … [Read more...]
Second Opinions in Pulmonary Hypertension Care
We receive many questions about how and when to obtain a second opinion about pulmonary hypertension. First, as a patient you should never feel insecure or like you are not being loyal or a good patient by seeking a second opinion. This is your health at stake. Second, your doctor should not make you feel badly for seeking a second opinion. Be Your Own Advocate If you were … [Read more...]
Sickle Cell and Pulmonary Hypertension
What is Sickle Cell Disease? Sickle Cell Disease is a genetic disorder of the red blood cells. It is autosomal recessive (you need to get one defective gene copy from each of your parents). Patients with sickle cell disease have abnormal hemoglobin in their red cells. Under periods of stress the red cells become deformed and plug up the blood vessels of the lungs and other … [Read more...]
What Is Personalized Medicine?
If you watch the evening news or read the newspaper then there is a good chance that you have heard the term Personalized Medicine. The most common area where we hear about this is in reference to cancer treatments. But what does it mean? When your doctor makes a diagnosis, and reaches for a treatment, the doctor is trying to match the best treatment for the individual … [Read more...]
My PAH Comprehensive Care Center Is Too Far Away
PAH Comprehensive Care Centers are a great place to get care for pulmonary arterial hypertension for several reasons. They have providers specially trained in PAH and other advanced lung diseases, they offer research studies to advance the understanding and treatment options for pulmonary arterial hypertension and they have dedicated nurses to help support their goal of … [Read more...]
