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Showing posts from September, 2018

Everything We Need to Know about Pneumonia & COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a collection of lung diseases that cause blocked airways and make breathing difficult. It can result in serious complications. People with COPD are more likely to develop pneumonia. Pneumonia is particularly dangerous for people with COPD by causing an increased risk of respiratory failure. This is when your body is either not getting enough oxygen or isn’t successfully removing carbon dioxide. Pneumonia is a common cause of  COPD flare-ups .  Some people aren’t sure if their symptoms are from pneumonia or from worsening COPD. This can cause them to wait to seek treatment. This is dangerous. People with COPD should call their doctors immediately if their symptoms are worsening or they believe they have pneumonia. Pneumonia It’s an infection of the air exchange units in your lungs, mainly the respiratory bronchioles and alveoli. An immune response causes this area to become inflamed. White blood cells (WBCs) a...

How Does Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program Help People With COPD?

When you’re living with COPD , everyday activities such as walking or climbing stairs can get harder. That’s where pulmonary rehabilitation comes in. Basically, it’s a formal program that will build your fitness and help you breathe as well as you possibly can. Pulmonary rehab will help you with: Exercise Breathing techniques Nutrition Relaxation Emotional and group support Learning more about your medications Strategies for living better with COPD Exercise The key to any pulmonary rehab program for COPD is exercise, which will help your lungs and heart work better. Here’s some more about these exercises, which may be one-on-one with a trainer or in a group Lower body:  Most rehab centers offer a set of exercises that center on leg workouts. They vary from simply walking on a treadmill or around a track to more intense stair climbing. Most of the proven benefits of pulmonary rehab are shown in studies of people doing leg exercises. Upper b...

Why E-Cigarettes are more Harmful than we think

                                          Vaping is the new smoking Quitting an addiction is a great idea and you deserve a pat on the back for contemplating it. But starting a new addiction even if in the form of an electronic, chargeable 'smoking' device, to let go of an existing one, is plain stupidity. What's more? In recent times, many non-smoking teenagers and youths, globally, have made vaping their addiction.  Cancer The toxic compounds in e-cigarettes may lead to cancer. Limited yet substantial evidence concerning e-cigarettes suggests that the toxic substances in their liquid might increase a user's risk of developing cancer. It says that these harmful compounds could result in the increase in heart rate owing to the presence of nicotine and that chemicals in e-cigarettes' aerosols may lead to DNA damage and mutagenesis. Respiratory health Because e...

Risk Factors and Prevention of Chronic Lung Diseases

When you think of chronic lung disease, you may think of lung cancer, but there are actually many different types. Altogether, lung diseases accounted for more than 3 million people die each year from COPD and 235 million people suffer from asthma, a common disease among children according to the World Health Organization . These types of lung diseases may affect your airways, lung tissues, or circulation of blood in and out of your lungs. Here are the most common types, their causes and risk factors, and potential symptoms that may signal the need for medical attention. Asthma Asthma is one of the most common types of chronic lung disease. When triggered, your lungs become swollen and narrow, making it harder to breathe. Symptoms include: Wheezing Being unable to take in enough air Coughing Feeling tightness in your chest If you experience these symptoms, it’s important to see a doctor right away. Triggers may include allergens, dust, pollution, stress...