An Internet search on "COPD" or "Emphysema" will turn up literally millions of web sites. Not all of this information is reliable. This module will suggest sites that provide reliable information and good patient care instruction material, and sites that may otherwise be of assistance in helping with your COPD.
There are many good web sites out there that can provide good COPD advice such as general medical and health information, medication details, disease and complication specific information, nutritional advice, test and procedure information, and various resources such as respiratory organizations and patient and caregiver support groups. Use them to your advantage, to enlarge on the knowledge you have gained from this series on pulmonary rehabilitation.
Pulmonary Education and Research Foundation (PERF)
http://www.perf2ndwind.org/
An excellent and authoritative source of COPD information
Essentials of Pulmonary Rehabilitation
http://www.perf2ndwind.org/Essentials.html
From PERF --- An extensive COPD manual --- Highly recommended
American Thoracic Society 'Best-of-the-Web"
http://www.thoracic.org/sections/clinical-information/best-of-the-web/pages/obstructive-disease/copd-disease-management.html
An excellent and authoritative source for Web links about COPD and Disease Management.
COPD-Alert http://www.copd-alert.com/
A leading patient advocacy and self help site.
Stretching Breathing Exercises for People with COPD http://www.mindpub.com/
Dr. Sharma's home video Yoga program specifically for COPD. Excellent Psychology resources.
American Thoracic Society http://www.thoracic.org/sections/copd/
This is a pulmonary professional web site.
An excellent patient information section may be seen from the main menu "For Patients and Their Families."
European Respiratory Society http://www.ersnet.org/
This is a pulmonary professional web site. There is a good patient information section.
Canadian Thoracic Society COPD Guidelines http://www.copdguidelines.ca/
This site has excellent patient information.
American College of Chest Physicians http://www.chestnet.org
This is a pulmonary professional web site.
National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) http://www.nice.org.uk/CG012NICEguideline
This is a pulmonary professional web site from the United Kingdom. Detailed COPD guidelines.
An excellent version for patients is at www.nice.org.uk/CG012publicinfo
Global Initiative on Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) http://goldcopd.com
An international organization concerned about COPD. Brief patient information section.
Alpha-1 Association http://www.alpha1.org/home/index.asp
An organization devoted to COPD patients with the Alpha-1 Antitrypsin deficiency.
Alpha-1 Foundation http://www.alphaone.org/
An organization devoted to COPD patients with the Alpha-1 Antitrypsin deficiency.
National Jewish Medical and Research Center http://www.nationaljewish.org/
A leading pulmonary center, with patient information resources.
National Jewish Lung Line http://www.nationaljewish.org/contact/lung/index.aspx
A free phone and e-mail advice service from the National Jewish Medical and Research Center.
American Lung Association http://www.lungusa.org
General information about lung diseases and resources.
National Lung Health Education Program (NLHEP) http://www.nlhep.org/
COPD advocacy group. News. Some instructions and resources.
National Emphysema/COPD Association (NECA) http://www.necacommunity.org/
COPD advocacy group. Patient self help mission. Good newsletter with news and COPD tips.
National Heart Lung and Blood Institute http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/index.html
The NIH has a huge site with information on all sorts of health issues.
American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation http://www.aacvpr.org
The professional American association most concerned with Chest Physiotherapy.
California Society for Pulmonary Rehabilitation http://www.cspr.org
California therapist pulmonary rehabilitation resources.
American Association for Respiratory Care http://www.aarc.org
Respiratory Therapist national web site.
National Home Oxygen Patients Association
http://www.homeoxygen.org/
Oxygen therapy advice.
Portable Oxygen Website http://www.portableoxygen.org/
Long term portable oxygen, from a user's perspective.
TRAVEL O2 http://www.travelo2.com/
Commercial oxygen provider for the travelling COPD patient.
SeaPuffers Pulmonary Cruises http://www.seapuffers.com/
Cruises catering to the COPD patient on oxygen.
US COPD Coalition http://www.uscopd.org/
Patient advocacy organization. Information and resources.
Let's Get Fit http://www.copd-letsgetfit.com/
COPD exercise advocacy.
EFFORTS (Emphysema Foundation For Our Right To Survive) http://www.emphysema.net/
Patient advocacy organization. Information and resources.
Health Compass http://websites.afar.org/site/PageServer?pagename=HC_homepage&JServSessionId
General health advice.
COPD-Support http://www.COPD-Support1.com
COPD information and resources.
Family Caregiver Alliance http://www.caregiver.org/caregiver/jsp/home.jsp
Advice and support for the caregivers of COPD patients.
National Emphysema Foundation ; http://emphysemafoundation.org/
COPD information and resources.
COPD International http://www.copd-international.com/
COPD information and resources.