empowereddoctor.com - pulmonology

How COPD Affects Women

2008-07-30

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is on the rise among women and, since 2000, their mortality rates have surpassed those of men. However, despite the rising prevalence, morbidity, and mortality among women, there is little medical understanding of the disease's gender differences. A recent study in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine has demonstrate the disease is manifested differently in the genders, and risk factors, symptoms, disease progression, and even diagnosis, differ substantially.

Coughing May Be a Serious Sign

2008-07-01

According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI), waking up coughing or having a prolonged cough that lasts for weeks should receive serious medical attention. Alan Goldsobel of AAAAI explains, "Coughing protects the body by removing mucus and irritating particles from the respiratory tract. Coughing is a useful function that does not always mean there is a problem. However, coughing at night, after going to sleep indicates the need for medical attention."

The Global Threat of Secondhand Smoke

2008-03-14

Though studies have linked secondhand smoke to death an illness, a new study suggests that very little is done by parents to protect their children. Appearing in the latest issue of the American Journal of Public Health, the study examined the smoking histories of the adults in the homes, exposures to secondhand smoke inside the house, around the community, and attitudes toward smoking. Researchers used air-sampling technology to examine nicotine levels in the homes and hair samples to measure individual levels of exposure in non-smoking women and children.

Diagnosis and Treatment Guidelines For Stable COPD

2007-11-06

The American College of Physicians has released an updated clinical practice guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD is a collection of slowly progressing lung diseases more commonly found in smokers. Over 5% of adults in the US have COPD and it is the fourth primary cause of death and twelfth leading cause of illness. A patient suffering from the disease will typically have a chronic cough, wheezing, and some patients also have a shortness of breath and and activity limitation.

What Is The Impact of Smoking on Vascular Disease?

2007-10-17

Smoking is one of the very strong risk factors for developing vascular disease. We have seen very young people who smoke develop vascular disease. Normally as our arteries become blocked, it is a part of aging. Most of the patients with vascular disease are in the 60's, 70s and beyond. But one who smokes very heavily, someone who started smoking very early in their teens, one who smokes one or two packs a day regularly... we see that they get vascular disease 10 to 20 years earlier. Some people in their 40s have severe vascular disease. So there is no question that smoking is a strong risk factor.

Air Pollution Can Lead to Appearance of Blood Clots

2007-09-25

A recent study on Air pollution reported in the Journal of Clinical Investigation may explain how small particles in air pollution might trigger blood clots and cause heart attacks and strokes. While there is a known link between particulate air pollution and elevated risk of cardiovascular events, the underlying mechanism remains a mystery. Recent studies on animals and humans found that the small particles in air pollution may disrupt hemostasis - the methods allowing blood to be maintained in a fluid state.

Reducing Stress Lowers Risk of Cardiovascular Problems

2007-09-21

A Review in The Lancet reveals the importance of healthy lifestyle choices to reduce stressors related to cardiovascular risk factors. Researchers from John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore examined records between 1990 to 2006. They observed how stress affects the sympathetic nervous system, impacts physiology, and the effect it has on the cardiovascular system. Lead author, Daniel Brotman, claims "Acute physical stressors such as sugery, trauma, and intense physical exertion are well known triggers of cardiovascular events. Emotional stressors are increasingly recognized as precipitants of such events."

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Is Becoming Widespread

2007-08-31

A study in the September issue of The Lancet suggests that the the global rate of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is higher than previous estimates have suggested and is becoming more prevalent as the world's population ages. The researchers believe that the solution to this rising burden on health care is through cost effective prevention. The researchers found that smoking is the biggest risk factor for the disease, followed by exposure to indoor and outdoor pollution. Illnesses and unsafe working conditions are additional risk factors for developing chronic lung disease.

The Health Implications of Pollution

2007-08-03

The presence of even low levels of air pollution can increase a person's risk of early death, according to research published in the Thorax journal of respiratory medicine. The researchers examined the air quality in different regions of Britain during different time periods as well as national data on the causes of death-more than 5000 adults over age 30 were included.

Children of Smokers Are Less Healthy Than They Seem

2007-06-06

Children with smoking parents may not be as healthy as they appear. A study presented at the American Thoracic Society International Conference shows that although children of smokers may not exhibit respiratory problems, they may still be suffering from damage to their airways. Some researchers claim that children of smokers are more likely to have respiratory problems such as puffing, wheezing, and cases of pneumonia. However it is unclear if there is impairment in children who have no respiratory complaints or diagnosed problems.