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This is only a starting point to many of the informative learning sites available in addition to our own. We offer them as additional information sites only, and not as an alternative to information provided by your personal medical teams.  If you find a site link that is not functioning, please notify the Webmaster.

Articles on many of these subjects can also be found in our library. 
Use the library search feature to assist you.
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Please note that in some instances, commercial site are listed here.
These sites were selected by our researchers as aids for information and education only.
In NO way are these listings to be construed as advertising or endorsements.

Call Centers

ALA Call Center - Offers smoking cessation advice via phone.
• 1.800.548.8252

C.O.P.D. Information Line - Staffed by COPD Patients, the call center provides guidance and referral information to millions of COPDers - not only those on the Internet, but also the millions who do not have Internet connections.
http://www.COPDCallCenter.org
• 1.866.316.COPD (2673)

COPD Resource Locator

COPD Resources -  Specialized and focused resources on the Internet to empower COPD patients, families, and caregivers to improve the quality of patient care and the quality of their lives, including:

	A search engine specializing in COPD information.
	A specialized classifieds section for COPD related equipment and supplies.
	A link to shop the most current eBay items in a number of categories of interest to the COPD patient.

http://www.COPD-Resources.com

Associations and Organizations around the world working to fight lung diseases in all forms

Alpha-1 Association - Mission is to "Identify those affected by Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency and to improve the quality of their lives through support, education, advocacy and research".  http://alpha1.org/ 

Alpha-1 Foundation - The Foundation is dedicated to providing the leadership and resources that will result in increased research, improved health, worldwide detection and a cure for Alpha-1.  http://www.alphaone.org/ 

American Lung Association - With interactive and ever changing information, also links to each States individual Association site.  http://www.lungusa.org/

Australian Lung Foundation - The Australian Lung Foundation assists the relief of people suffering from lung disease, and promotes better lung health.  http://www.lungnet.org.au/ 

British Lung Foundation - The British Lung Foundation is the only charity in the UK that funds research into the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure of all lung diseases.  http://www.lunguk.org/ 

Canadian Lung Association - The umbrella group for each of the 10 individual Provincial Associations. http://www.lung.ca/

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - The main federal agency for protecting the health and welfare of everyone. Extensive variety of information.   http://www.cdc.gov/

COPD Foundation - Dedicated to providing leadership and resources to increase research, improve health, and promote worldwide detection of COPD.  These goals are to be met through research, teaching, public awareness, early diagnosis and better treatment.  http://www.COPDFoundation.org

Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) - Worldwide project in collaboration with NIH and NHLBI to promote asthma awareness.   http://www.ginasthma.com/

Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) - Goals to define treatment; increase awareness and prevention of COPD worldwide.  http://www.goldcopd.com/ 

National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) - Part of the Federal governments National Institute of Health. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/index.htm

National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) - Learn More Breathe Better website
www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/lung/copd/index.htm

National Institute of Health (NIH) - Chock full of information, resources, drug information.  http://www.nih.gov/

National Emphysema Foundation (NEF) - Since 1971 NEF has worked to improve the quality of life for those with emphysema, asthma and related diseases through education, research and direct patient care.  http://www.emphysemafoundation.org 

National Institute on Aging (NIA) - Leading the federal effort on aging research, links to informative brochures and video tools. You can obtain the NIA's Exercise Guide and or Video from here.  http://www.nia.nih.gov/

National Jewish Medical and Research Center - Excellent website with an extensive amount of lung related information. National Jewish is a world leader in pulmonary, allergic and immune disorders.  http://www.njc.org/index.html 

National Lung Health Education Program (NLHEP) - Prevention of lung disease and promotion of lung health is a large focus here.  http://www.nlhep.org/

Pulmonary Education and Research Foundation (PERF) - Education, research and help for those with chronic respiratory disease.  http://www.perf2ndwind.org/index.html

Second Wind Transplant Association – Support and education group focused toward those person interested in or having received lung transplants.  http://www.2ndwind.org

World Heath Organization (WHO) - International source for health concerns around the globe.  http://www.who.int/en/

COPD - Other Related Sites:

American Respiratory Alliance of Western Pennsylvania - Dedicated to the prevention and control of lung disease through education, training, direct services, research funding and advocacy since 1904.
http://www.healthylungs.org/

Chapman Lung Center - Facility specializes in emphysema and lung cancer treatment and surgery.  Special emphasis on Lung Volume Reduction Surgery (LVRS) done by way of Video Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS).  Site has a lot of information on the procedure, eligibility , and various questions and answers. http://www.cmclungctr.com/

Cheshire Medical Center - Information on the facility, as well as on-line information on various lung diseases, pulmonary rehab, nutrition and much more.  http://www.cheshire-med.com/ 

Cleveland Clinic Health System - Health information on common conditions and over 800 health related topics.  Includes sections on test your health knowledge, drug information, tests and procedures.  http://www.cchs.net/health/main.asp

Site includes an informational article on mucus clearing utilizing controlled coughing: http://www.cchs.net/health/health-info/docs/2400/2413.asp?index=8697

InteliHealth - Wide range of information, with features from Harvard Medical School Consumer Health Information. This site covers a wide range of diseases, healthy lifestyles, a medical dictionary, drug information, and information on tests and procedures.  http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIHW000/408/408.html 

Mayo Clinic - An easy to understand resource of medical information on many diseases, management, healthy living, and much more.  http://www.mayohealth.org 

Mayo Clinic: the Facilities - Information on the 3 basic Mayo Clinic sites.  http://www.mayoclinic.com 

Medline Plus - Information on over 600 medical conditions, dictionary, encyclopedia, interactive tools, health news, hospital and doctor directories. A combined service of the National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health.  http://medlineplus.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/medlineplus.html 

Mt. Sinai Hospital - Once a top teaching hospital in Cleveland, OH. It has now shut down. However their pulmonary division educational section is still available.  http://www.mtsinai.org/pulmonary/ 

Portable Oxygen: A User's Prospective - Site by Pete Wilson, fellow COPD patient.  Included is information on providers, a general overview, compressed, liquid, traveling, flying, conserving devices, just to list a few of the items discussed.  http://www.portableoxygen.org

Pulmonology Channel - Wealth of information on all types of lung disease, including COPD. Includes a video section, doctor finder, dictionary, news features and more.  http://www.pulmonologychannel.com/ 

respHEALTHsite - A large source of information for COPD'ers, in many aspects of their disease.  http://www.resphealthsite.com/ 

University of Kansas Respiratory Care Education - Bi-Paps  - Educational information explaining how a bi-pap works, with graphics showing the unit and various types of available masks.  This particular site focus is on one of the units provided by Respironics. http://www.kumc.edu/SAH/resp_care/bipap.html

Free or nominal fee snail mail and e-mail publications:  These additional COPD resource guides are provided free or at a reduced subscription cost for COPD patients.  Mailed to your home or e-mailed, they provide additional learning materials and articles on an ongoing basis.

The COPD Digest is the only magazine devoted exclusively to people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.  Published quarterly by the COPD Foundation with the support of the Alpha 1 Foundation and other advertisers, every COPD Digest covers issues of Critical Importance to the COPD Community.  Mailed free of charge to your home. http://www.copddigest.org

Everything Respiratory is a magazine with a mission to enrich, educate and empower all respiratory patients. This is the only respiratory magazine created and guided by a respiratory patient.  http://www.er-mag.com/

Breathe Well Magazine For folks with COPD, learn more about managing your disease.  Published by Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc./Pfizer Inc., it has quite a few pharmaceutical advertisements, as expected, however a very informative addition for COPD’ers.  Mailed free of charge to your home.  Also offered is a Guide to Better Breathing, as well as a COPD Expert series that is delivered as an e-mail service http://www.spiriva.com/consumer/registrationSurvey/noThanks.do

Lung Health The magazine of the American Lung Association and featured sponsor Altana Pharama, a free mailed to the home publication, features article by everyone from patients to professionals.  Includes support and information as well as advocacy issues, this magazine is also mailed free of charge to your home.  The following link will take you to both the registration form for Lung Health and also to many different types of on-line e-news lists.
http://www.lungusa.org/site/apps/s/content.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=34706&ct=67894

The Pulmonary Paper Informative newsletter packed with up to date information, articles by COPD patients, Respiratory Therapists etc, they do request a small nominal fee for patients to help to defray costs.  There is also a fee for heath care professionals.  Published every other month and sent to your home, it also a very informative read.  Many DME suppliers offer a discount on products to subscribed members.  Home page link:  http://www.pulmonarypaper.org/main.asp 
Newsletter fee information and sign up link: http://www.pulmonarypaper.org/main.asp?CatID=26

Disability, Medication Assistance Programs, and Related Resources:

Benefits Checkup - Site aimed at helping to find assistance programs in your area that could help cover cost of prescription medications, health care, utilities, and other essential items or services. A service from the National Council on Aging.  http://www.benefitscheckup.org/ 

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services - Programs, coverage, faq's and information regarding these services.  http://www.cms.hhs.gov/ 

Helping Patients - Interactive web site by PhRMA and 48 member companies. Aids in assisting patients to find medication assistance programs they may be eligible for.  http://www.helpingpatients.org/ 

Military Links:

TRICARE Military Health System - http://tricare.osd.mil/

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) - http://www.va.gov

RX Hope - Patient interactive assistance resource for pharmaceutical assistance programs. Supported by the Pharmaceutical and Research Manufacturer's of America (PhRMA)  http://www.rxhope.com/about/main.asp

Social Security Administration - Official site of the Social Security Administration.  http://www.socialsecurity.gov/ 

Drug Information and Interactions:

Health Scout Drugs.com - Use the Drugs.com search to find information on over 24,000 drugs and medications available in the USA. You can also search for drug interactions, identify pills, find drug images and condition treatment guides.  http://www.drugs.com/data/channel/md/drkoop.cfm?type=1 

IQHealth SubScribeRX Drug Checker - This site allows user to search for information on a specific drug, including drug to drug and food to drug interactions.  http://www.subscriberx.com/iqhealth/DrugInfoStart.html 

RX List - Drug information, generic - brand name cross-index. Search for medication terminology information and more.  http://www.rxlist.com/ 

WebMD Health - Extensive data base on medications, prescription, over the counter, herbs and vitamins.   http://my.webmd.com/medical_information/drug_and_herb/drugs/default.htm

Interpreting Tests:

ABG's - Be sure to check each page, as there are pages on how the test is done, how to prepare, what it is, how to interpret the results, and general normal or average ranges.  http://www.laurushealth.com/Library/HealthGuide/MedicalTests/topic.asp?hwid=hw2343

PFT's explained
International Association of Fire Fighters - A marvelous description of PFT's with explanations on the differences between spirometry vs. full PFT's, definitions, disease patterns and interpretations.
http://www.iaff.org/safe/content/spirometry/pulmonary%20function%20tests.htm

InteliHealth - Interactive site utilizes Harvard's Medical Schools guide to diagnostic tests to help the user look up information on preparation, time, and recovery, for a wide range of lab and diagnostic tests. Main site:  http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIHW000/23722/25405.html?k=navx408x25405 

The direct link to the Guide for diagnostic tests and procedures: http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIHW000/24479/25405/304005.html?d=dmtTAP

Lab Tests Online - Site to help consumers better understand the many lab tests that our doctor's order.  http://www.labtestsonline.org/ 

PFT's - Here are a few good sites to help you get started learning about PFT's.

http://www.cystic-l.org/handbook/html/pft_s_explained_for_you.htm

http://www.alpha1.org/what/lunginfo_pfts.htm

Also available, a site to help you convert your PFT figures from Liter's to
% (percentages)  http://iws1.jhsph.edu/Research/Centers/CCT/calculate.htm

Medical Equipment Information:  Note: These sites are provided as a source of information only.

Bi-Pap and C-Pap -

cpap.com - Wide range of c-paps, bi-paps, machines, masks, accessories and supplies.  Also has an extensive list of topic Faqs, and ask a question section.  A newsletter archive and a mask comparison guide.  http://www.cpap.com

The CPAP Store - Wide range of c-paps, bi-paps, machines, masks, accessories, supplies.
http://www.cpapman.com/

CPAP Supply - Wide range of c-paps, machines, masks, accessories, supplies.
http://www.cpap-supply.com

CPAP World - Wide range of c-paps, machines, masks, accessories and supplies.  Internet information only, orders must be placed over the phone.
http://www.cpap.net

Flutter Valve:

The FLUTTER® device is a small handheld medical device used to facilitate the removal of mucus. Read more about it at:  U.S. Link: http://www.axcanscandipharm.com/prescribinginfo.aspx?lang=en-us&n=4&m=110&id=flutter  

Clement-Clarke - Another informational site on the flutter is:
http://www.clement-clarke.com/respiratory/Therapeutic/Flutter-Mucus.htm

DHD Healthcare - Innovations for respiratory care.  Includes spacers, incentive spirometers, mucus clearing devices, ventilator and respiratory assistance products.  On line video resources also available.
     Acapella - http://www.dhd.com/catalog/bronchial/acapella.asp
     Link to their videos, available on line with Windows Media Player or Apples Quick Time Player:               
     http://www.dhd.com/catalog/videos/
     TheraPEP
     http://www.dhd.com/catalog/bronchial/therapep.asp

Pulse Oximeter: Whether called Onyx, Nonin 9500, Flightstat, Sportstat, Healthdyne 950, or Respironics 950, they are all exactly the same units - just different silk-screened names. Shop around; prices are constantly changing, so none are placed here.  We do not endorse any particular source, but rather provide this as a starting point for your research

http://www.aeromedix.com sells a version of the Nonin Onyx oximeter called the "Flightstat". No prescription required.

http://www.rei.com  sells the same thing, called the "Sportstat". You can also buy it over the counter at any REI retail store (outdoor gear). No prescription required.

http://www.rmsupplies.com. sells the Nonin 9500. No prescription required.
Cannot order via Internet - call Tom for current pricing at 1-800-882-8889

http://www.outletmedical.com/oxygen.asp  sells the Nonin Onyx. A prescription IS required.

http://www.bayviewmedical.com  are friendly, helpful and sell the Nonin Onyx. If calling, ask for Ken. No prescription needed.

http://www.keomed.com/product.asp?pf%5Fid=371&dept%5Fid=6024&mscssid=31H9PAPTGJS12MJK00L447M7VT66EMUW  carries the Nonin 9500.

http://www.turnermedical.com/  Carries Nonin, Digit, and other handheld brands. Prices vary.

A Canadian source, http://www.radialsolutions.com sells the Onyx. No prescription is required.

Quick Test Liter Meter

Jameson Medical - Link for a o2 Liter Flow Meter.  A useful tool to check the accuracy of your constant flow o2.  It does NOT check the purity of o2.  http://www.jamesonmedical.com/pages/liter_meter.htm

Sports Breathing Trainer - Inspiratory/expiratory resistive breathing trainer. http://www.j-f-financial.com/increase-breathing/

The Vest (Advanced Respiratory) - The Vest airway clearance system is a medical device used by adults and children to help clear mucus from their lungs.  This system is very useful in patients with cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy, ALS, and other disease where excessive mucus is a problem. http://www.thevest.com

Oxygen:

Discovery Campus - Oxygen: This is a fascinating animated site about oxygen therapy.  It is a long download, but quite simple and cute!  Done by Discovery Campus, and backed by a few major companies, it is a fantastic source for new oxygen users. http://www.discoverycampus.com/pub002/pub002.swf

Living With COPD - Site by Ron O'Kane, fellow COPD'er, and deals exclusive with his experiences with the Helios liquid o2 system.  http://www.okanefamily.net/living_with_copd.htm 

Portable Oxygen: A User's Prospective - Site by Pete Wilson, fellow COPD patient.  Included is information on providers, a general overview, compressed, liquid, traveling, flying, conserving devices, just to list a few of the items discussed.  http://www.portableoxygen.org

Sleep Related Disorders:

American Sleep Apnea Association - An extensive resource of information on sleep apnea, publications, information packets, and an extensive list of related links in the U.S and other countries.  http://www.sleepapnea.org/ 

Sleep Net - Compilation of a large volume of information on sleep apnea and other sleep related disorders.  http://www.sleepnet.com/

Transplant Information:

Coalition on Donation - Information on becoming an organ or tissue donor.  http://www.shareyourlife.org/

Organ Donor.gov - U.S. Government site on organ and tissue donations.  http://www.organdonor.gov/ 

United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) - UNOS is a non-profit, scientific, and educational organization that administers the nation's only Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN), established by the U.S. Congress in 1984.  http://www.unos.org/ 

Traveling with COPD

An overview of tips for flying, cruises, trains, bus:  http://www.access-able.com/tips/oxy.html 

Guide for travelers with pulmonary disabilities with info on the various airlines:  http://oxygen4travel.com/tips_air.html

And information on Amtrak:   http://www.amtrak.com/plan/accessibility-oxygen.html

Please note that in some instances, commercial site are listed here.
These sites were selected by our researchers as aids for information and education only.
In NO way are these listings to be construed as advertising or endorsements.