Obstructive emphysema causes the air sacs in the lungs to rupture and enlarge. This leads to fewer but larger air sacs, limiting airflow in and out of the lungs. Obstructive emphysema, or emphysema, is a chronic and progressive lung disease characterized by a progressive rupture and enlargement of the air sacs (alveoli). Emphysema is a…
People using electronic cigarettes or e-cigs report they are losing their sense of taste. This is commonly called “vape tongue.” The effects appear to be temporary for now. Electronic cigarette users are losing their sense of taste, a condition known as “vape tongue” or “vaper’s tongue” — medical professionals are sounding the alarm. A New…
Scientists from the La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI) and The University of Southampton, UK, have uncovered a group of immune cells that may drive severe asthma. These cells, called cytotoxic CD4+ tissue-resident memory T cells, gather in the lungs and appear to possess the molecular weaponry to cause the most harm in men who…
Plastic bronchitis is the buildup of lymph fluid in the lungs. The fluid leaks into the airways and causes tree-like casts to form, blocking the airways. Treatment includes removing the casts and improving lymphatic flow to prevent respiratory failure. Plastic bronchitis is a respiratory condition that occurs as a result of lymph fluid buildup in…
1 in 6 patients without a history of depression developed it after COVID-19 Increases in new onset or recurring depression were seen among older Canadian adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, a study shows. One in six patients without a history of depression before the pandemic developed it…
The time nicotine stays in your system depends on how long and how often you’re exposed to it. It also depends on whether you smoked it, chewed it, or inhaled it second-hand. Whenever you smoke cigarettes or vape, chew tobacco, or inhale secondhand cigarette smoke, nicotine is absorbed into your bloodstream. From there, enzymes in…
Knowing how your chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) diagnosis may progress can help you manage your condition and communicate with your doctors. The group of related lung conditions called COPD causes airway blockage and trouble breathing. COPD is progressive, which means that the condition will continue to develop, causing more severe symptoms over time. Doctors…
Not only does the respiratory disorder increase your risk of hypertension, but drugs that treat one can worsen the other. Here’s how to stay safe. If you’ve been diagnosed with asthma of any type, you’ll be advised to follow certain steps to help manage it—for example, knowing and avoiding your triggers, taking your medication as directed, and…