These guidelines can help you care for your trach tube, your stoma, and the skin around the stoma.

Suctioning keeps your trach tube clear of excess mucus. Suction your tube as advised by your health care provider. Follow these guidelines and any others you're given.

Clean your trach tube and the skin around it at least once a day. Your health care provider may advise you to clean it more frequently. Here are reasons to keep your tube clean and instructions to help you do so effectively.

Stress and anxiety can make breathing harder. When it's hard to breathe, it's natural to get anxious and start to panic. This makes you even more short of breath. This sequence is known as the dyspnea cycle, and it's common among people with COPD. The good news is, you have the power to break the cycle.

An X-ray uses a small amount of radiation to create images of your bones and internal organs. X-rays are most often used to detect bone or joint problems, or to check the heart and lungs (chest X-ray).

Smoking damages your lungs and makes it harder to breathe. Read on for helpful tips and information on quitting.

Once you are diagnosed with a latex allergy, you can take some steps to protect yourself. Read on to learn more.

A peak flow meter measures how fast you can push air out of your lungs. This tells you how well you are controlling your asthma. Measure your peak flow as many times a day as your healthcare provider tells you to.

If your loved one will use a wheelchair, you need to know about transfers. For safety's sake, learn how to help your loved one in and out of the wheelchair. One basic method is shown here.

The weather. Food additives. Illness. Many things may set off your asthma symptoms. Here's a look at some common asthma triggers, and tips to help ease your symptoms.