Member Library

Weather can be a trigger for respiratory flare-ups, also known as exacerbations. If the weather is too hot, too cold, too humid, not humid enough, or even too windy, it can feel harder to breathe and you may wheeze or cough more.

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The kidneys play an important role in filtering waste and excess fluid from your blood, and help regulate blood pressure and keep your bones healthy.

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Acknowledging and accepting your lung health diagnosis can be the first step to managing it well and living a full life. This will help you focus on the things you can control—like your diet, exercise, sleep, stress management, and other lifestyle habits—and learn to let go of the things you can’t.

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Singing is a natural way to practice breath support, especially when we sing in specific ways. We have to take a breath to get all the words out and take breaths to hit the notes we want to hit. You don't have to be a singer or sound good! 

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One concern with COPD is that an exacerbation, or flare-up, could be severe enough to require a trip to the hospital. Some flare-ups can be caught and treated early, but if you do have to go to the hospital, there are a few things you can do to prepare yourself for your stay and make the transition back home as easy and smooth as possible.

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Hypertension is a very common condition. It’s also known as high blood pressure.

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Having a respiratory disease can be challenging sometimes, and social connections are key to making respiratory management easier.

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To ensure your pulse oximeter functions smoothly with the Wellinks app, follow the steps below for setup:

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Healthy eating is essential for people with respiratory disease. Benefits of a well-rounded diet include increased strength and stamina, decreased risk of infection, and improved lung function. Include good nutrition in your lung health treatment plan by implementing the advice below.

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“Blood sugar” refers to glucose, a type of sugar that circulates in the bloodstream. Glucose comes from food and is the body’s main source of energy.

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Emphysema [em-fah-ZEE-ma] is one of the lung diseases that makes up chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Remember that COPD is an umbrella term that describes multiple lung diseases.

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Eating well is important for staying healthy, especially if you have COPD. Good food choices can help you breathe better, feel better, and lower the chances of problems from COPD. Plus, ensuring you sleep well is crucial for your breathing.

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Chronic respiratory diseases can make breathing more difficult because over time, the tiny air sacs in your lungs become damaged or destroyed. This can exacerbate feelings of breathlessness and make doing some activities more difficult.

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Alpha-1 is a genetic condition that can cause serious damage to your lungs or liver. It happens when you don’t have enough of a protein in your blood called alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT), which is made in your liver.

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One of the best things you can do to keep your respiratory disease from getting worse is to stop smoking.

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Living with COPD comes with its ups and downs. Some days you might find it harder to breathe or do your normal activities.

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Living with chronic respiratory diseases can be challenging, so it’s common for people with chronic respiratory diseases to experience anxiety and depression.

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Sleep isn't just about resting; it's when our bodies fix themselves. Good sleep is important for keeping our lungs healthy and making sure we feel good overall. Knowing how sleep and lung health are connected helps us take better care of our lungs and stay healthy.

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This exercise tracker was designed to help you safely and confidently progress your exercise routine.

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If you have questions, concerns, or need assistance, the Wellinks Support Line at 1-877-220-8935 is here for you! Available at no cost, our Support Line serves as a central hub for all your support needs.

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Your home should be a place where you can breathe easily, move comfortably, and feel safe. The good news is that you can make simple yet effective changes to create an environment that supports your respiratory health and overall well-being.

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Lung cancer occurs when the cells in your lungs change because of damage caused by smoking, exposure to toxic pollution, or other factors. Changes, or mutations, to your cells can cause a tumor to form.

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One of the biggest risks for people with COPD and other chronic respiratory diseases is infection. Infections of the lungs can cause inflammation and make it even harder to breathe. This can lead to exacerbations, which are episodes of worsening symptoms.

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Inhalers are convenient and portable devices that deliver consistent doses of medicine directly to your lungs. They can be used with different types of respiratory disease medication. Some inhalers are used every day, and others are prescribed only for flare-ups.

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Traveling with chronic respiratory disease can be a bit challenging, but with some planning and the right precautions, you can enjoy your trips while keeping your health in check. Being prepared can make a big difference, whether going on a short trip or a long adventure. Here are some easy tips to help you travel safely and comfortably.

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If you have lung disease, you know that seasonal allergies can be a real pain. They can make it hard to breathe, and they can make symptoms worse.

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Taking care of your lungs is essential for feeling your best. One key way to support lung health is by improving the air quality in your home. Here are some helpful and encouraging tips to help you create a clean and healthy indoor environment.

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Gastroesophageal reflux disease, more commonly known as GERD, is a common, chronic condition which is when the contents of your stomach flow upwards—or “reflux”—into the esophagus. The esophagus is a long tube that connects the throat to the stomach.

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Breathing along to the music helps to steady our breath, promote relaxation, and to improve breath support over time.

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Everyone should have a plan for natural disasters and power outages, but it’s especially important for people with COPD. Being prepared will help you stay safe and healthy, no matter what happens.

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Heart failure, which is also known as congestive heart failure, is when the heart muscle doesn’t pump blood the way it should because it is too stiff or weak.

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Vaccines are a critical part of managing your respiratory disease. The flu and pneumonia vaccines are especially important.

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A pulse oximeter is a great tool to measure your blood oxygen level, which can help you and your healthcare provider monitor your condition. This guide shows you how to use your Wellinks pulse oximeter.

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Living with lung disease opens up opportunities to take charge of your health. Let's explore a health checkup guide designed to help you thrive and maintain your well-being as you focus on your lung health.

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Summer's here, bringing sunny days and warm breezes. But if you're living with a chronic respiratory condition, the heat can make things tough. Don't worry, though – Wellinks has your back! Let's talk about how to stay cool and care for your lungs, even when the temperature rises.

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Oxygen therapy—or supplemental oxygen—is a medical treatment prescribed to you by your doctor if you can’t get enough of it on your own.

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Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) is a group of lung disorders that affect the tissue and space surrounding the air sacs in the lungs. These disorders cause thickening, scarring, or inflammation of the lung tissue, which can make it harder for the lungs to work properly.

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Asthma is a chronic lung condition that makes it harder to breathe. Asthma is characterized by two problems: 1) inflammation and mucus in the airways and 2) squeezing of the airways, also known as constriction. For people who have asthma, this means their airways are more sensitive and can get irritated more easily.

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Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is high blood pressure in the lungs.

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People with COPD can sometimes experience exacerbations, also known as flare-ups. An exacerbation is a worsening of your normal condition, often caused by a lung infection.

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Lung Health Action Plan

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Heart disease is the name for several different heart conditions—most commonly coronary artery disease. Coronary artery disease often develops when plaque builds up in the arteries, making it harder for blood and oxygen to reach the heart. If the coronary arteries become blocked by a clot, this can result in a heart attack.

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A spirometer allows you to monitor your lung function and FEV1 (and peak flow if you have asthma) from your home.

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Glossary

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Pneumonia is when the air sacs of the lungs become inflamed, usually due to an infection caused by a virus or bacteria. Less commonly, pneumonia can be caused by a parasite or fungus, or when an object (like a piece of food) becomes stuck in the lungs and increases the risk of a bacterial infection.

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Bronchiectasis [bron-kee-EX-stah-sis] is a lung condition where the airways in the lungs become wider than usual. This can make it hard to clear mucus and phlegm from the lungs. 

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Living with chronic respiratory conditions can be challenging, affecting not only your lungs but also your overall well-being. Experiencing a range of emotions, from worry to sadness, is common, but there are ways to feel better and prioritize your wellness.

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Osteoporosis is a bone disease where bone density and strength decreases, increasing the risk of fractures.

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Warm ups and cool downs help you get the most out of your exercise. Warming up helps get your body loose before more intense physical activity. Cooling down helps you jump start your recovery and can help reduce soreness caused from physical activity.

Exercise

You don’t need to buy hand weights or leg weights to exercise efficiently at home—there are plenty of grocery items and household goods that make great substitutes! This guide shows you how you can get creative with your exercise routine.

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Strength exercise is an important part of a well-rounded exercise routine. It supports your overall health and can make it easier to complete regular activities.

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The timed up and Go (TUG) is a quick assessment used to measure your mobility, balance, and fall risk. Take the TUG in an open space, wear comfortable footwear, use oxygen if prescribed, and use a walking aid needed.

Exercise

Exercising with respiratory disease can seem daunting, and your motivation to exercise can change from day to day. This is normal! Some days you might feel ready and excited for physical activity. Other days you might think you are too tired, too busy, or too sick, and you may be worried about feeling short of breath.

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Meditation can help you manage your breathing, alleviate stress, improve your sleep and mood, and increase your energy levels. And meditating regularly helps you achieve the best results!

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Walking isn't just a way to get from point A to point B—it's a powerful tool for improving lung health and overall well-being. Whether strolling through the park or walking to school, putting one foot in front of the other matters more than you might think. 

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There are two common breathing techniques that can help you use your lungs better: pursed lip breathing and diaphragmatic breathing. You can use these techniques anytime, but it’s especially helpful to practice them often and consistently– and before you start an activity that often makes you feel breathless.

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The Chair Stand is a quick assessment used to measure your functional mobility, strength and endurance. Take the Chair Stand assessment in a clear space, wear comfortable footwear, and use oxygen if prescribed.

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Exercise is a crucial part of good mental and physical health, and exercise safety is important to protecting yourself against injury.

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It's crucial to prioritize safety while staying active, whether at home or outdoors. Exercising is a great way to improve your health, especially lung health. Here are some helpful tips to keep your workouts safe and enjoyable.

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In some cases you may need to force quit your Wellinks or another mobile app. Use the below directions to force quit for iPhones and Android mobile devices.

Technical Support

If your app says "Bluetooth not connected" use the following methods to troubleshoot the issue:

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Your home screen will show the last Spirometry and Pulse Oximetry readings that you logged in the Wellinks App.

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Coaches can send you messages, images, files, and videos to assist with COPD education and training, as well as materials to help you achieve your goals.

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If you've forgotten your password, follow these steps to reset it and regain access to your account.

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If you are getting a message that your password reset link has expired, you can request a new one directly from the app!

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Experiencing an issue with the Wellinks app? Don't worry – we're here to help! Follow the steps below to ensure your concerns are quickly addressed:

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Your apps should update automatically if you have automatic updates enabled on your mobile device's preferences. To activate automatic updates or to update our app manually, you can take the following steps.

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From the Wellinks home screen, you may:

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We're excited to offer virtual coaching sessions, meetings, and webinars through Zoom, and we want to ensure you're able to join us! Follow the steps below to create your Zoom account.

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From the Wellinks Profile Page, you may:

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Below are some simple troubleshooting steps to help you resolve common Bluetooth connectivity issues and ensure your device works seamlessly.

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Welcome to the latest addition to the Wellinks app—Action Plan! This new feature is designed to provide you with the support and structure needed to effectively manage your condition.

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A secure password and updated recovery info help protect your personal and health information.

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The recommended steps to joining a zoom call are below. All Wellinks meetings created should have a meeting link that is in your confirmation email. If you cannot find your link, please contact your Wellinks care team member and they can send resend the call link to you.

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The Navigation Bar is at the bottom of the screen. You will be able to use the navigation bar on any page in the app to get back to "Home." The navigation bar includes: 

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At Wellinks, keeping your personal data secure is a top priority.To help keep your data safe and secure, our app has a quick logout time. If you are frequently getting logged out of the Wellinks app and having to log back in, this is likely because you do not have any device level security set (eg, a passcode or biometrics on your phone or tablet).

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We understand that adding new applications to your devices can sometimes be confusing. To assist you with this process, we've created a simple guide on how to successfully add an application to your Android and iOS devices.

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Exercising with respiratory disease can seem daunting, and your motivation to exercise can change from day to day. This is normal! Some days you might feel ready and excited for physical activity. Other days you might think you are too tired, too busy, or too sick, and you may be worried about feeling short of breath.

Exercise

Exercising with respiratory disease can seem daunting, and your motivation to exercise can change from day to day. This is normal! Some days you might feel ready and excited for physical activity. Other days you might think you are too tired, too busy, or too sick, and you may be worried about feeling short of breath.

Exercise

Exercising with respiratory disease can seem daunting, and your motivation to exercise can change from day to day. This is normal! Some days you might feel ready and excited for physical activity. Other days you might think you are too tired, too busy, or too sick, and you may be worried about feeling short of breath.

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Exercising with respiratory disease can seem daunting, and your motivation to exercise can change from day to day. This is normal! Some days you might feel ready and excited for physical activity. Other days you might think you are too tired, too busy, or too sick, and you may be worried about feeling short of breath.

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Exercising with respiratory disease can seem daunting, and your motivation to exercise can change from day to day. This is normal! Some days you might feel ready and excited for physical activity. Other days you might think you are too tired, too busy, or too sick, and you may be worried about feeling short of breath.

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