About James Lee Barlitt, RN, LNC, NREMT-P, CRT Expertise As a Professional Health Care provider who has specialized in critical and emergency care, I can answer your medical questions. As RN working in an Intensive Care Unit and as a Certified Respiratory Therapist, I am knowledgeable in respiratory care, injury or disease. I research every answer to ensure you are getting the cutting edge answer you deserve. If I cannot answer your question, I can give you references or points of contact to assist you in finding that information.
Experience I have over 15 years of medical training ranging from Emergency Medical Technician to Critical Care Nursing. I now work in a consulting position, primarily to deliver medical answers to the public.
Organizations PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES
American Association of Critical Care Nursing, National Association
AACN Local Association - Member-at-Large Board Member 1998-99, President-Elect 99-00
National Registered Emergency Medical Technician Association
Emergency Nursing Association, National Association and Local
National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians
Life Member, Non-Commission Officers Association
Life Member, 82nd Airborne Division Association
Life Member, Disabled American Veterans
Life Member, Practical Shooter's Association
Yearly Member, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, NRA
Publications Reviewer for several National Medical Publishers.
Education/Credentials 1999- 2000 BS (Health Administration, minor in Human Resources), Trinity College & University, May 00
1995-1997 ASN (Nursing), Regents College of New York, Feb 97.
1989-1997 AAS (Emergency Medical Svcs.), Fayetteville Technical Community College, Jun 97.
2000-current BA (Psychology), Thomas Edison State College
2000-current BSHS (Health Professions Education), Thomas Edison State College
Awards and Honors CERTIFICATIONS
Registered Nursing License
American Heart Association;
Advance Cardiac Life Support Provider/Instructor
Basic Cardiac Life Support Instructor
Pediatric Advance Cardiac Life Support
Neonatal Emergency Resuscitation Program
National Registered Emergency Medical Technician - Paramedic
National Board of Respiratory Care - Certified Respiratory Therapist Technician
Basic Trauma Life Support International ? Instructor
Expert: James Lee Barlitt, RN, LNC, NREMT-P, CRT - 3/25/2001
Question Hi. I have been able to exhale a nice long breath(sp?) in quite some time (at least a couple of years). It seems I can inhale pretty well and fill my lungs up, but when I try to exhale it all, it seems I can't quite let it all out...like it's just too shallow and my breath ends too quickly. I am a smoker (1 pk. a day), weeze a little at night, and I have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia. Do you think the exhalation problem is something I should look into? It just seems something stops me from exhaling a full breath.
Thanks.
Deb
Answer Hi Deb,
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonar Disease (COPD), which is the broad term for asthma, emphsemia, chronic brochnitis interferes with the exhalation. Us Smokers can clearly inhale, but where we get into trouble is the exhalation. With the cobination of smoking, wheezing and exhalation symptoms, you are suffering probably from one of the above. A pulmonologist (lung doctor) or your regular doctor can run a PFT, Pulmonary Funtion Test, to tell how bad it is and if you need medication, also you've got to stop smoking as this is most probably cause. Sp yes see the doctor. Thanks, and please feel free to contact me for further information if you want or need to, thanks! Jim
