The Lung Health Champion

In this episode of The Lung Health Champion, Arnelle Konde speaks with pulmonologist and critical care physician Dr. Mike Wells and physician associate Brian Bizik about alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, an underdiagnosed genetic condition that can affect the lungs and liver. They discuss why routine testing remains a challenge, available testing approaches, and the importance of helping individuals advocate for answers. The conversation also covers comprehensive management, augmentation therapy,

In this episode of the Lung Health Champion, host Arnelle Konde speaks with respiratory therapist Audrey Chavez and Emily Brown from the Patient Advocate Foundation about Medicare coverage and preparing for 2027 open enrollment. They discuss why people living with COPD and other chronic lung conditions should review more than monthly premiums, including medication formularies, provider networks, respiratory equipment, pulmonary rehabilitation, and out-of-pocket costs. Audrey and Emily also expla

In this episode of Lung Health Champion, host Tralisa Willis speaks with Dr. Joao de Andrade, Dr. Sanjay Sethi, and Susan Jacobs about long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) and its place in respiratory research and clinical practice. The panel examines why much of the evidence supporting LTOT is decades old, where important research gaps remain, and how inconsistent prescribing, limited reassessment, equipment burdens, and access to high-flow oxygen can affect care. They also discuss the need for bett

If stress changes how you breathe, it's real. In this episode, we explain how stress affects breathing and how it relates to living with COPD. We also share practical tips you can use to manage your breathing before you feel breathless. In this episode of the Lung Health Champion, host Arnelle Konde speaks with pulmonologist Dr. Trisha Parekh and Lisa Hall, a person living with COPD, about the connection between stress and breathing. Lisa describes how stress can cause chest tightness, faster sp

When it comes to COPD, the right treatment starts with the right diagnosis—hear why spirometry and alpha-1 screening should be part of the conversation before care decisions are made. In this episode of the Lung Health Champion, host Tralisa Willis speaks with Dr. Charlie Strange and Corinne Young, MSN, FNP-C, FCCP, about screening for COPD, interpreting pulmonary function tests, and identifying alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. They explain why symptoms, age, and smoking history alone are not

In this episode of the Lung Health Champion, host Arnelle Konde speaks with Jamie and Kendall about their experiences caring for their fathers with chronic lung disease. They discuss how caregiving roles can grow from small, everyday responsibilities into emotional, physical, and logistical support. Jamie and Kendall share the challenges of balancing being a daughter with being a caregiver, recognizing burnout, asking for help, and making space for rest. They also discuss respite care, therapy,