Forced expiratory volume (FEV) measures how much air a person can exhale during a forced breath. The amount of air exhaled may be measured during the first (FEV1), second (FEV2), and/or third seconds (FEV3) of the forced breath. Forced vital capacity (FVC) is the total amount of air exhaled during the FEV test. Forced...

Helping or caring for a loved one with a long-term (chronic) condition, such as COPD or heart failure, can feel like a lot to take on. Sometimes it can be hard for people to accept help. Or they may choose not to accept help. So you may have to adjust the way you think, ask, listen, and respond. These tips might help...

"I've been smoking ever since I was a teenager. That's 40-something years ago. I never really thought about what could happen to this old body if I kept lighting up. I just knew that I loved to smoke. "Then I started to notice that it was getting harder and harder to do simple things like walk to my mailbox. One time my...

Guides you through ways to add nutritious calories and protein to your diet.

Briefly discusses possible problems that may occur after surgery. Offers interactive tool to help decide when to seek care. Also offers home treatment tips.

Covers eating healthy foods when you have COPD. Offers tips to make eating easier and help you get necessary nutrition.

In a COPD flare-up, your symptoms get worse over a short time and stay bad. You may have more shortness of breath and wheezing. You may have more coughing, with or without mucus. You may cough up more mucus than usual, and it may be a different color. Don't panic Do not panic if you start to have a COPD flare-up. If you...

First, take a class on how to give CPR. Then use the chart below as a reference. Quick reference: CPR recommendations for adults and older children, young children, and babies What to do Adults and older children who have reached puberty Young children until the age of puberty Babies younger than 1 year When to call for...

Learn how to conserve your energy when doing daily activities.

A computed tomography (CT) scan uses X-rays to make detailed pictures of structures inside of the body. During the test, you will lie on a table that is attached to the CT scanner, which is a large doughnut-shaped machine. The CT scanner sends X-rays through the body area being studied. Each rotation of the scanner...

Provides questions to help you learn why you use tobacco. Discusses the benefits of quitting and offers strategies for quitting. Explains nicotine dependence and offers link to info on nicotine replacement therapy.

Hemochromatosis gene (HFE) testing is a blood test used to check for hereditary hemochromatosis, an inherited disorder that causes the body to absorb too much iron. The iron then builds up in the blood, liver, heart, pancreas, joints, skin, and other organs. In its early stages, hemochromatosis can cause joint and belly...

As soon as you think you might be pregnant, visit your doctor or midwife. Your health in the early weeks of your pregnancy is particularly important. During your pregnancy, you'll have regular checkups. These prenatal visits can help you have a safe and healthy pregnancy. Your doctor or midwife is watching for problems...

Explains what stress is, what causes it, and how it affects you. Covers how to measure your stress level. Explores ways to relieve, avoid, and manage stress. Includes tips on finding support for reducing stress.

If you have a health condition that makes you tired, or if you're recovering from illness or injury, here are some ideas for conserving energy when you have sex or intimate time. Think about what could help you be more comfortable. Share your thoughts with your partner or partners, and come up with solutions together...

You can help reduce flare-ups of your COPD by learning what the triggers are and avoiding them. Pay attention to symptoms that may warn you of a flare-up. While some triggers may be out of your control, there are others that may be easier to avoid.

What is hemochromatosis? Hemochromatosis happens when too much iron builds up in the body. Your body needs iron to make hemoglobin, the part of your blood that carries oxygen to all of your cells. But when there is too much iron, it can damage the liver and heart and lead to other diseases, such as diabetes and...

Discusses screening test for hereditary hemochromatosis, a genetic disorder that causes the body to absorb too much iron. Covers symptoms of hereditary hemochromatosis. Discusses who should be screened and offers reasons not to be screened.