I used The Vest today at pulmonary therapy and I want one! It was so much better than having someone pound on your back to loosen the junk in your lungs!
UPDATE: I used the machine for a few months at home and it works great but my insurance company would not approve the full cost of use. Even though I accepted delivery of the machine with the understanding that if insurance didn't cover it then they'd have to take it back, it turned into a problem with HillRom. I repeatedly asked them to pick up the machine because I couldn't afford the almost $1200 per month charge. They said I'd agreed to a payment plan which I hadn't.
Finally they sent a box for me to return it. They say I owe about $2300. I disagree. We'll have to see who kept better documentation.
Impaired Airway Clearance
When mucus secretion and mucus clearance are not in balance, excessive airway mucus can cause serious problems. This condition is called impaired airway clearance.
Excess, often sticky mucus may accumulate in the airways in conditions as varied as cystic fibrosis, cerebral palsy, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease bronchiectasis. Retained secretions are a universal problem in people with artifical airways (tracheostomies) or those who depend on assisted ventilation.
As a consequence of retained mucus, breathing becomes labored. More energy and effort are required to take in vital oxygen and to exhale carbon dioxide. Although underlying causes are diverse, consequences are the same: vulnerable individuals are caught up in the vicious cycle of recurrent, ever-worsening episodes of inflammation, pulmonary infection, increased production of excess mucus, and airway obstruction, lung damage, and respiratory failure.
People at risk for impaired airway clearance have one or more of the following problems:
Ineffective Ciliary Clearance
Normal cilia beat in a coordinated unidirectional fashion to mobilize mucus and clear particulate matter from the airways. Damaged or poorly functioning cilia perform this function inadequately or not at all.
Ciliary impairment is associated with conditions including:
- Cystic fibrosis
- Primary ciliary dyskinesia
- Kartagener syndrome
- Status post heart-lung or lung transplantation
- Smoking or exposure to second-hand smoke
Excessive or Abnormal Mucus Production
Certain disorders and/or their treatments can cause excess mucus production and, in some cases, mucus that is abnormally thick and sticky. Large quantities of mucus, or mucus with altered physical properties, may overwhelm the mucociliary apparatus, inhibiting normal airway clearance.
Abnormal amounts of mucus with altered physical properties may imbe present in:
- Cystic fibrosis
- Bronchiectasis
- Asthma
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, chronic bronchitis
- Mechanical ventilation
Impaired secretion clearance can occur as a result of any event or dysfunction that disrupts normal airway clearance mechanisms.
Ineffective Cough
Cough function may be weak or ineffective in diseases and conditions where:
- Diaphragm muscle weakness or spinal deformity diminishes ability to inhale
- Poor coordination of the expiratory muscles compromises expulsive force and mucus shearing.
- Poor coordination of the bulbar muscles impairs closure of the glottis and the ability to build up
Cough function is frequently impaired in:
- Neuromuscular diseases, such as muscular dystrophy, spinal muscular atrophy, and multiple sclerosis
- Neuromotor conditions including cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury, and severe traumatic brain injury
- Individuals who depend on mechanical ventilation
- Individuals who have received heart and/or lung transplants
Dysphagia/Aspiration/Gastroesophageal Reflux
Dysphagia, or difficulty in swallowing, is a consequence of anatomical abnormalities or weakness of the muscles associated with swallowing. Gastroesophageal reflux occurs when a defective lower esophageal sphincter allows stomach contents to surge backwards into the esophagus. Aspiration involves the inhalation of secretions, vomit, or foreign material into the lungs. Because saliva and gastric contents contain bacteria, aspiration introduces microorganisms into normally sterile airways.
Seizures
Seizures are disorders of cerebral function characterized by sudden, attacks of loss of consciousness and motor control. There is a risk of aspiration during seizures.
Conditions associated with dysphagia/aspiration/gastroesophageal reflux include:
- Neurologic and neuromuscular disorders including cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy
- Seizures
- Developmental delay
- Disorders of the esophagus
- Endotracheal intubation and tracheostomy
Immobility
Some individuals are unable to exercise because of diminished exercise capacity, neuromuscular weakness or neuromotor dysfunction. As a result, they cannot maintain adequate aerobic capacity, chest
bellows function, and lung volume.
Conditions associated with immobility include:
- Spinal cord injury, quadriplegia
- Severe cerebral palsy and/or developmental delay
- Advanced muscular dystrophy, spinal muscular atrophy, severe spina bifida
- Dependence upon assisted ventilation
Restrictive Lung Disease
Fixed or diminished lung volumes and vital capacities characterize restrictive lung disease. In conditions where respiratory muscles are weak or the spine and thorax are deformed, the ability to take a deep breath, to generate expiratory force, and to cough effectively are often affected.
Restrictive lung disease occurs commonly in:
- Muscular dystrophy
- Spina bifida
- Spinal muscular atrophy
- Severe cerebral palsy
Obstructive Lung Disease
Obstructive lung diseases include conditions where airway size is decreased as a result of structural changes,bronchospasm and/or excess mucus — limiting the ability to exhale.
Obstructive lung diseases include:
- Bronchiectasis
- Chronic Bronchitis
- Alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency
- Asthma
- Cystic fibrosis
- Primary ciliary dyskinesia
- Kartagener syndrome
Learn more about airway clearance:
(PULMONARY FIBROSIS HERBAL REMEDY)
ReplyDeleteI am 74 years old. Two years ago I noticed that I was finding it harder to walk in the hills, after 3 months my condition suddenly worsened, following an xray and a MRI scan I was diagnosed with Idiopatic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF). I start taking a corticosteroid and Pirfenidone, even with these medications i still remain very breathless when climbing the 15 steps to our front door, i wake up at night coughing persistently and hacking for hours. In July 2016, my neighbour Nicholas Quale referred me to NewLife Herbal Clinic, he had initially purchased Lymphoma herbs from them. I purchased their Pulmonary fibrosis herbal remedy and immediately commenced usage, i use the remedy for about 9 weeks and my condition greatly improved for good, all symptoms including breathlessness, tiredness, shortness of breath, coughing etc are gone, i did another scan, the result was unbelievable, my lungs are repaired, visit www.newlifeherbalclinic.weebly.com or email newlifeherbalclinic@gmail.com
I smoked for 20 years, October 2014 i was diagnosed of Emphysema I may have had it for 6 months to 1 year prior to diagnosis. It started with a dry cough, shortness of breath, and fatigue. A chest x-ray confirmed it and I was placed on corticosteroids. my doctor told me there is no permanent cure for the disease, i was given bronchodilators to help me relax my bronchiolar muscles, I managed on with the disease till a friend told me about a herbal clinic from johannesburg who sell herbal medicines to cure all kind of lung related diseases including emphysema, I spoke to few people who used the treatment here in USA and they all gave positive responses I contacted this herbal clinic via there email and made purchase of the emphysema herbal medicine, i received the herbal medicine through DHL within 5 days, when i received the herbal medicine i applied it as prescribed and was totally cured of emphysema within 7 weeks of usage, the symptoms reduced till i even forgot i had emphysema, i went back to my doctor for diagnosis with spirometry and he confirmed i was free from the disease, contact this herbal clinic via there email healthherbalclinic@gmail.com or website on www.healthherbalclinic.weebly.com
ReplyDeleteI was diagnosed with polymyositis in 2002 and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) by a lung biopsy in 2007. I have been on prednisone at various dosages from the beginning along with various immune suppressant medications. I began taking tacrolimus in 2008 and have held off any progression of more scarring. I had shortness of breath and coughing. I was relatively active but I learned to pace myself. I have the best medical team that all work together.. As the disease progressed all medication stopped working, i was introduced to Health herbal clinic in South Africa who have successful herbal treatment to Pulmonary fibrosis and other lungs diseases. I spoke to few people who used the treatment here in USA and they all gave a positive response, so i immediately purchased the Pulmonary fibrosis herbal remedy and commenced usage, i used the herbal supplement for only 9 weeks, all symptoms gradually faded away, herbs are truly gift from God. contact this herbal clinic via their email healthherbalclinic @ gmail. com or visit www. healthherbalclinic. weebly. com
ReplyDeleteI have been diagnosed with COPD for over 12 years. My principal symptom has been a heavy feeling in the chest. I cannot breathe well while lying flat on my back or on my right side. I have recently had a very major reduction in these symptoms having been prescribed cefdinir for a diagnosis of an upper respiratory viral infection last 4 months. I am only writing this to inform others that nothing was really working to help my condition.I started on Emphysema herbal formula i ordered from Health Herbal Clinic,i read alot of reviews from other previous patients who used the herbal formula, my symptoms totally declined over a 5 weeks use of the COPD natural herbal formula. i am now doing very well, all my symptoms completely faded away, my lungs are totally repaired!! Visit there website www. healthherbalclinic. net or email Info@ healthherbalclinic. net
ReplyDeleteI was diagnosed COPD with bronchiectasis for almost 6 years now after having coughed daily for all the previous years. Amoxicillin and Rulide failed to work on this flair up so am on ciprofloxacin, So much time and money is being spent here in NZ making sure that the doctors and nursing staff are treating patients but yet nothing is happening,if not for a herbal medicine i wont be able to get rid ofbthis disease,please email this herbal center and it's %100 gurantee that you will be cured totally .
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I was not really having a problem breathing at first. My throat was burning; I thought I had strep throat. I had pain in my neck, and there was swelling around my collar bone. The first doctor I went to said he did not know why there was swelling. He gave me antibiotics and told me that if the swelling was not better to come back in two weeks. I went back in two weeks and he said he did not know what was wrong. Since I do not have insurance, I went to a hospital emergency room, and they said I have COPD.The disease does not improve. My "good days" are far and few these days. My dad and his dad died from this. I am only writing this to inform others that nothing was really working to help my condition.I started on COPD herbal formula i ordered from Health Herbal Clinic,i read reviews from other previous patients who used the herbal formula, my symptoms totally declined over a 5 weeks use of the COPD natural herbal formula. i am now doing very well, my lungs are totally repaired!! Visit there website www. healthherbalclinic. net
ReplyDeleteAfter my 3rd pulmonary embolism in 2003, I was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis and I read that people usually die within 5 years. My specialist has me on blood thinners, prednisone and other steroids that I inhale daily. October 2006 I decided to go with natural treatment and was introduced to Green House Herbal Clinic natural organic idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis Herbal formula, i had a total decline of symptoms with this pulmonary fibrosis Herbal formula treatment. The infections, shortness of breath, fatigue, dry cough and other symptoms has subsided. Somehow, the herbs managed to keep me alive for 13 years.Visit Green House Herbal Clinic official website w ww.greenhouseherbalclinic .com or email herbs@ greenhouseherbalclinic. com. I have had great improvement with my over all respiration with this product and i breath very much easier, i can never be thankful enough to nature
ReplyDeleteAfter years of working in construction and smoking cigarettes,I was diagnosed with COPD and pulmonary fibrosis. As my illness progressed, I found myself relying on supplemental oxygen around the clock. Even getting out of bed became a challenge.My doctors and specialists recommended a lung transplant, but after researching the pros and cons of such a drastic procedure, I decided to try something less invasive. I contacted multivitamin herbal cure cape town for organic natural treatment you can search for them on google. Following the COPD and pulmonary fibrosis herbal treatment procedure , my lung function has improved dramatically after my first four weeks of the herbal formula .My quality of life has gotten a lot better. I was amazed that I could breathe without any dead air. I no longer need oxygen and look forward to continued improvement because a specialist told me already I have a chance of getting rid of my condition totally due to the herbal treatment effectiveness . If you or someone you love has COPD, pulmonary fibrosis or another chronic lung disease, and would like to see improvements like mine they even guarantee me totally cure once the treatment is done , their website multivitamincare org they will put you through on the herbal process .
ReplyDelete