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Laura Castricone, CRT

LinkedIn Profile My name is Laura Castricone and I am a Certified Respiratory Therapist. I have been practicing in the state of Connecticut since 1992. I have worked in several aspects of respiratory care including sleep medicine, critical care, rehab, and home care. I earned my respiratory certification at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, CT. Prior to becoming an RT, I attended the University of Connecticut pursuing a degree in English but left Uconn in my junior year to work with my father in the restaurant business. I stayed with him for over a dozen years. An education, by the way, that can never be bought! Once I married and had children, the restaurant business no longer fit my lifestyle. When my children were one and two years old, I decided to go back to school and that is where my career in respiratory care began. This career has been very rewarding and I have been blessed to meet some extraordinary people along the way. I grew up in Waterbury, CT, and now live in Litchfield County, CT with my husband and our crazy Jack Russell terrier, Hendrix. My hobbies include antiquing, gardening, writing plays, and painting miniature paintings.

 

External Condom Catheters

External Catheters for Men: 5 Important Questions & Their Answers

Laura Castricone, CRT Jun 24, 2022

External Catheter for men is less likely to cause CAUTI and catheter-associated urinary tract infections, and they are more comfortable and available to be used at home by the patient. Male external catheters are easy to use and cause fewer movement restrictions than indwelling or intermittent catheters. And mostly, they are non-invasive.

CPAP Masks and Interfaces

Buying Guide for CPAP Machine for Sleep Apnea

Laura Castricone, CRT Jul 09, 2022

The machine that is designed to treat OSA (obstructive sleep apnea) is called a CPAP unit or a Bilevel unit. The acronym CPAP stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. What that means is that when you are using a CPAP you are getting constant pressure into your airway whether you are inhaling or exhaling.

Lightweight Chairs

Buying Guide for Manual Wheelchair

Laura Castricone, CRT Jul 13, 2022

Manual wheelchairs come in a variety of sizes and styles to meet most patients' needs to be ambulatory within or outside of the home. A manual wheelchair is a chair that a client can self-propel or have a caregiver push for them. There are a few things to consider before making a purchase. Read more to know how to choose a manual wheelchair.

Health Care for Women

What Causes Lower Abdominal Pain in Females: 8 Major Causes

Laura Castricone, CRT Jul 22, 2022

Abdominal pain may be caused by something innocuous or something more sinister. If you experience belly pain that does not resolve or worsen over time, contact your healthcare provider for a consultation.

Back Pain

What Causes Upper Back Pain When Breathing?

Laura Castricone, CRT Aug 22, 2022

Deep breathing is a wonderful exercise for the lungs. However, if the process of breathing causes pain in the upper chest, it may be something to be concerned about. Deep breathing is a way to increase oxygenation in the bloodstream and decrease the amount of carbon dioxide that may be harbored in our lungs.

Allergy Relief

How To Relieve Sinus Pressure In Ears

Laura Castricone, CRT Aug 23, 2022

When people with allergies are exposed to pollen, dust, smoke, molds, or pet dander, this can cause inflammation of the nasal passages and increase the amount of mucus produced. This can block or narrow the sinus and put pressure on the eustachian tubes in the ear.

Breast Cancer

New And Emerging Breast Cancer Treatments

Laura Castricone, CRT Oct 06, 2022

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide. Types of breast cancer include ductal carcinoma in situ, invasive ductal carcinoma, invasive lobular carcinoma, inflammatory breast cancer, paget's disease of the nipple, angiosarcoma, and phyllodes tumor. Learn all about new advancements in breast cancer treatment.

Breast Cancer

How Can You Best Support Someone Who Has Been Diagnosed With Breast Cancer?

Laura Castricone, CRT Oct 06, 2022

When family or friends receive a breast cancer diagnosis, it’s time to offer support, but what can you do to help someone who is facing this alarming diagnosis? Learn all you need to know to become a helpful ally for your loved one in their battle with breast cancer.

Pain Relief

Referred Pain : Referred Pelvic Pain

Laura Castricone, CRT Oct 22, 2022

Any pain that originates in one area of the body and then affects another area with pain is called “referred pain” or “radiating pain.” This means that the pain you are feeling in your arm may really be coming from a problem in your neck. This is also very true for back pain.

Stress

Is Stress Linked To Stroke?

Laura Castricone, CRT Oct 22, 2022

To understand how stress can make you more susceptible to having a stroke, you must first understand what happens to our bodies when we are under stress. Stress can cause us to be exposed to toxins produced by our bodies. When we are under stress, we release cortisol which is our “fight or flight” hormone. Our heart rate increases and our heart has to work harder which can increase blood pressure.

Immune Health

What Is Inflammation And How Does It Affect Our Body?

Laura Castricone, CRT Oct 27, 2022

When inflammation is high, it can eventually lead to tissue, cellular, and organ damage. It may cause scarring over time and can lead to other diseases, such as cancer. High levels of the stress hormone cortisol are released causing further damage to the body. High levels of cortisol are linked to diabetes and heart disease. Keeping the body in a state of “high alert” can, over time, damage organs and cause cancer or a stroke.

Health Care for Women

Prolapsed Bladder: What Is A Prolapse Of The Bladder?

Laura Castricone, CRT Oct 27, 2022

A prolapsed bladder is a bulge of the bladder into the vagina. It is officially called a “cystocele” in medical terms. There are some common causes of cystocele including; childbirth, chronic constipation, obesity, pelvic strain, heavy lifting, or violent coughing. Some women will opt for the use of a pessary device for the prolapse of the bladder. The pessary is a removable device that is inserted into the vagina to aid in the support of the prolapsed area. It is non-invasive and it is often used in lieu of surgery as there are fewer side effects and risks.