A retrospective study of almost 39,000 patients shows that opportunities to diagnose chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) at an earlier stage are frequently being missed in both primary and secondary care in the UK. The findings, published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, reveal missed opportunities to diagnose COPD occurred in up to 85 percent of…
It isn’t rocket science that parents should not be smoking at home with children that suffer from asthma. A new study finds, that secondhand smoke may be counteracting the effects of the child’s asthma treatment. The study, published in the journal Chest, finds that the oxidants in cigarette smoke were shown to be capable…
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a deadly, colorless, odorless, poisonous gas. It is produced by the incomplete burning of various fuels, such as coal, wood, oil, propane, and natural gas. Other sources of CO are products and equipment such as cars, lawn mowers, portable generators and power washers. In addition, Smokers and Firefighters have extreme exposure…
According to a September, 2012 report by the American Lung Association (ALA), 7.1 million children had asthma in 2011, with the prevalence being between the ages of 5-11. The report additionally showed that boys were 16% more likely to develop asthma than girls. Why is that and what does it mean for parents and practitioners,…
In an original study at Monash University, Australia, for Multidisciplinary Approach to Management of Maternal Asthma (MAMMA), it was found that early intervention to better manage the asthmatic condition in a pregnant women can statistically and clinically control their asthma. Intervening through monthly asthma education, monitoring, feedback, and follow-up helped yield better asthma control…
Spirometry is the gold standard for the diagnosis and management of both Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD). The earlier you detect the disease and its state; the easier and faster you can treat your patients. Spirometry is good medicine. The patients you see every day in your office can be correctly diagnosed…
Hundreds of thousands of Americans are diagnosed with COPD, but experts believe that the actual number of people affected with this disease is double the official figure reported. COPD or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a serious lung disease that blocks the airway and can cause extensive damage to the organ. Most people…
Safe Exercises for the Asthmatic Patient One of the goals of asthma treatment is to help maintain a healthy lifestyle. Getting your body in shape and keeping it that way can happen even if you are an asthmatic. It is important that your patients are getting the right amount and type of exercise to…