Blog

December 10, 2017

Drinking Soda While Pregnant Could Increase Your Child’s Risk of Asthma, Study

We know moms aren’t supposed to drink alcohol during pregnancy, but could soda be just as bad? Studies are pointing to new evidence that excessive consumption of sugary drinks during pregnancy could cause health problems for the child later in life. New research published in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society suggests that children…

November 15, 2017

The Great American Smokeout is Tomorrow!

Every year, on the third Thursday of November, smokers across the nation take part in the American Cancer Society Great American Smokeout event. Encourage someone you know to use the date to make a plan to quit, or plan in advance and then quit smoking that day. By quitting – even for 1 day –…

October 31, 2017

When It Pays to Quit, More People Do!

Financial rewards and personalized support can improve a smoker’s chances of quitting, a new study finds. “Our results show that a successful intervention to help [low-income] individuals quit smoking should be multifaceted and focus on both assisting with resources and, when possible, providing financial incentives,” said lead author Dr. Karen Lasser. She’s a general internist…

October 17, 2017

Can Young People Get COPD?

Many chronic diseases have an age dimension. As we grow older, the body’s ability to repair itself changes, and damage can accumulate in various parts of the body. Cancer, arthritis, cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis and dementia are all diseases that tend to afflict older adults more frequently than younger adults. Chronic obstructive pulmonary…

September 26, 2017

The Looming Consequences of Breathing Mold

Flooding means health issues that unfold for years The flooding of Texas and Florida is a health catastrophe unfolding publicly in slow motion. Much of the country is watching as gallons of water rise around the chairs of residents in nursing homes and submerge semi-trucks. Some 20+ trillion gallons of water are pouring onto the…

September 12, 2017

More Depressed Pregnant Women are Smoking

Smoking during pregnancy is on the rise among American women with depression, a new study finds. Researchers analyzed data from more than 8,500 mothers-to-be who took part in an annual government health survey. It found a 2.5 percent rise in smoking rates among pregnant women with depression between 2002 and 2014. Smoking rates among other groups fell during that…

August 30, 2017

Weight Loss Surgery Tied to Fewer Hospital Visits for COPD

Obese people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who get weight loss surgery may go to the hospital less often with acute breathing problems after their operations, a U.S. study suggests. Among obese adults with COPD who had what’s known as bariatric surgery to lose weight, the proportion of patients who needed emergency room or…

August 15, 2017

Consuming Fish Oil May Reduce Asthma Symptoms

A common asthma symptom is an exercise-induced bronchoconstriction – the constriction of the airways. Researchers investigated the potential of fish oil to improve asthma symptoms. Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) is a prominent and common symptom in individuals with asthma. It even affects up to 50% of elite athletes, making it a concern for any individuals participating…