The natural decline in lung function over a 10-year period was slower among former smokers with a diet high in tomatoes and fruits, especially apples, according to a study from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, suggesting certain components in these foods might help restore lung damage caused by smoking. The researchers found…
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…
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 –…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…