Asthma is thought to affect more than 250 million people worldwide and is responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths each year. Research into a cure for the condition would make a major difference for a significant number of people. Scientists have now come up with the beginnings of a potential long-term treatment for asthma. Crucially,…
The cigarette is the only legal consumer product that—when used as intended—causes the premature death of half of the long-term users. To address this long-standing health threat, in late June 2022, the Biden-Harris administration announced a plan to move forward with a new standard for cigarettes and other combusted tobacco products that would make them minimally or…
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) refers to a group of lung diseases that affect your breathing. This includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. People with COPD typically have blocked airways and experience breathing-related problems. These problems result from reduced functional lung capacity along with lung inflammation and damage. Some people with COPD also experience excessive mucus production, which can make…
A new trend is emerging in the vaping world, one that promises big health benefits. Known as “wellness vapes”, they contain vitamins or other supplements instead of nicotine and tout claims of boosted energy, increased immunity and a better night’s sleep. Wellness vapes or “nutritional supplement diffusers” – which allow users to inhale ingredients such…
If you have COPD, new research suggests you might want to pay close attention to getting good sleep. Poor slumber significantly increased the risk of life-threatening flare-ups of breathing problems in people with incurable, progressive lung disease, investigators reported. “Among those who already have COPD, knowing how they sleep at night will tell me much more…
Young children who develop upper respiratory tract infections may have an increased chance of developing asthma at school age. Young children who develop lower respiratory tract infections have a greater risk of school-age airway blockage, airflow restriction, and developing asthma, according to study results published recently in the European Respiratory Journal. A few recent studies suggest…
Seasonal allergies are a nuisance for most people. For people with COPD, however, any extra condition that makes breathing difficult is automatically more serious. According to a 2012 study at the Johns Hopkins Allergy and Asthma Center, people who had COPD and seasonal allergies experienced worsened respiratory symptoms such as coughing and wheezing. They were also significantly…
Tobacco ads on television have been banned since 1971. Advertisements on billboards paid brand product placement, cartoons, tobacco brand sponsorships of sporting events and concerts, and advertising and marketing practices targeting individuals under 18 have been illegal since 1998. Yet, kids keep seeing tobacco and e-cigarette ads anyway. In 2020, 79 percent of teenagers reported exposure to tobacco…