Dr. Cynthia Bettinger spoke on how to organize for the best result when consulting with primary care.

Dr. Bettinger addressed:

1. Smoking cessation and how a primary care doctor can assist in avoiding second-hand smoke
2. Pulmonary rehab and the important benefits it can provide
3. Working with a nutritionist
4. Identifying specific goals and strategizing to meet them
5. The use of steroids
6. Importance of bone density checks
7. Help with weight loss and dieting

Dr. Bettinger also talked about the "hamster wheel" when doctors try to see too many patients in a single day, and how some doctors arrange their days to better create a quality consultation period.

A number of questions were asked on a variety of subjects. YOU TUBE VIDEO LINK

Video recorded at the May 13, 2019 meeting of Breathmatters.

Theresa Altherr provided an overview of clinical research, why it is important and what it can provide to participants. With research conducted through the testing and the standard four phases of study, improved treatments are developed which can save lives and improve conditions for lung disease sufferers.

She discussed what kind of person is best suited to become involved in clinical research, and how the doctors of the research team will first confirm the patient original diagnoses before placing them within the study.

Also described is the burgeoning importance of genetic research which helps to identify the best candidates for the receiving of experimental drugs.

Video recorded at the monthly Breathmatters meeting held May 13, 2019 at Johnston-Willis Hospital in Midlothian Virginia in Stalker Auditorium.

Dr. Fabry spoke about the value of regular checkups, and what they can (and cannot) provide.

In particular he spoke of the high value that LIPID measurements provide, and he took time to explain the process by which cholesterol is administered in the body with LDL and HDL cholesterol types.

The primary thrust of Dr. Fabry's presentation highlighted that a patient is best benefited from advocating on their own behalf, and playing an important part in the management of their own health care.

Speaker Christina Hunt spoke on her experience in rehabilitation for lung disease sufferers and provided helpful tips on meeting certain challenges, for example:

1. How personal bathing can be problematic for people with lung issues, and how that can be overcome.

2. When and how you should have your "rescue inhaler" at hand.

3. How to strategize to meet environmental issues.

4. Utilizing oxygen in a shower setting.

5. How terry cloth can be used to dry off in order to decrease the necessity of physical assertion in the drying off process after a bathing.

6. How important it is to take the time needed to safely and effectively use bathing as cleaning and a relaxation experience.

7. How to haul a load - carrying objects with less breathlessness.

8. Importance of upper body strength, and how to safely increase the power of muscle groups.

9. Using "purse-lip" breathing during exertion.

10. Recognizing limitations to make for the most comfortable way to handle physical tasks.

11. Rolling-totes and their utility for lung disease sufferers.

12. How to plan ahead for tasks such as moving groceries from an automobile to the home.

Breathing Tips from Breathe-Live-Fit - https://www.breathelivefit.com/