PEP Buddy’s Co-Founder Shares the Inspiration for the Brand

PEP Buddy: Improving Breathing and Quality of Life for COPD Patients

We sat down with Muhammad Ahsan Zafar, MD, MS-CTR, co-founder of PEP Buddy, to learn more about his background, his work, and the benefits of PEP Buddy for COPD and beyond.

Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background.

I obtained my medical degree from The Aga Khan University, Pakistan. I then came to the University of Cincinnati for my training in Internal Medicine and then sub-specialized in Pulmonary and Critical Care medicine.

I am currently an Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Cincinnati, and I also served as the medical director of the Pulmonary Rehabilitation center for 5 years.

Q: What spurred you to get into this field?

I became attracted to pulmonary and critical care because of the severity of illness and the potential to improve patient outcomes. My research interest in COPD stems from the realization that breathlessness is one of the most crippling symptoms in COPD patients.

COPD is a common condition affecting 1 in 10 adults. Understanding the mechanisms behind shortness of breath in COPD led to the development of PEP Buddy, a lightweight device to mitigate dynamic hyperinflation and reduce breathlessness.

Q: Can you share more about your research on air stacking and dynamic hyperinflation?

Research showed that in COPD, small air tubes in the lungs become narrowed, leading to dynamic hyperinflation (air trapping) during breathing out, which causes breathlessness. By using a PEP device, we can help maintain the airways and reduce the effects of dynamic hyperinflation.

Our recent research with PEP Buddy showed that it can significantly reduce breathlessness and help improve oxygen levels in COPD patients during physical activity.

Q: Who else can benefit from using PEP Buddy besides people with COPD?

PEP Buddy isn’t just beneficial for COPD patients. It also helps reduce anxiety, promotes mindfulness, and can assist in improving attention for people with ADHD. Additionally, pregnant women can use it to help manage stress and anxiety, while practicing controlled breathing.

Summary Points:

• Pursed Lip Breathing: Regulates breathing, reduces anxiety, and improves oxygen exchange.
• Diaphragmatic Breathing: Strengthens the diaphragm and reduces shortness of breath.
• PEP Buddy for COPD: Reduces breathlessness by combating dynamic hyperinflation and improving lung function during physical activity.
• PEP Buddy for Anxiety: Reduces stress, promotes calmness, and regulates breathing for better emotional well-being.
• PEP Buddy for ADHD: Improves focus and attention by calming the autonomic nervous system.

PEP Buddy: Better Breathing, Backed by Science

PEP Buddy is a simple, portable, clinically proven device designed to reduce breathlessness, improve activity levels, and prevent declines in blood oxygen levels during exercise.

Learn more about easing your shortness of breath with PEP Buddy today.