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Health News:COPD

Americans Gaining Awareness of COPD: Survey

November 5, 2009

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 4 (HealthDay News) — Most Americans are aware of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but less than half know that the serious lung disease can be treated, according to national survey results released this week by the U.S. government as part of National COPD Awareness Month in November.

COPD affects 20 percent of U.S. adults over age 45. Half of the 24 million people in the United States with COPD remain undiagnosed even though they have symptoms, such as wheezing, chronic cough, or shortness of breath while doing activities that used to be easy. Read More

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New Vaccine May Work Better Against Lung Disease

September 9, 2009

WEDNESDAY, Sept. 9 (HealthDay News) — A recently developed pneumonia vaccine may be more effective in preventing infections in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) than the vaccine that is typically used, new research suggests.

Risk of pneumonia can be an ongoing problem for people with COPD, a chronic, progressive disease that causes difficulty breathing and chest tightness. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that all adults with COPD be vaccinated against pneumonia with a vaccine referred to as PPSV23 (23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccination). Read More

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Treating COPD Early Improves Outcomes

August 28, 2009

THURSDAY, Aug. 27 (HealthDay News) — Although there is no cure for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), starting treatment early may slow progression of the illness and add years to the lives of sufferers, new research finds.

COPD is a progressive, destructive disease of the lungs that is usually brought on by years of smoking. Symptoms include restricted breathing, secretion of mucus, oxidative stress and airway inflammation. It is estimated that as many as 24 million Americans have COPD, and the number is rising. Read More

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Study: Some Types of Candles May Pollute Indoor Air

August 19, 2009
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(ISTOCKPHOTO)
By Kate Stinchfield

WEDNESDAY, Aug. 19, 2009 (Health.com) — A soak in a steamy tub, surrounded by candles, sure seems like a great way to unwind. But new research suggests that burning certain kinds of candles may generate indoor air pollutants.

Researchers at South Carolina State University studied petroleum-based and vegetable-source candles to determine their emissions. They let candles from different manufacturers burn for up to six hours in a small box (8” x 8” x 26”), and then collected and analyzed substances released into the air. Read More

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Viagra Trial for Sickle Cell Lung Problems Halted

July 29, 2009

TUESDAY, July 28 (HealthDay News) — The first clinical trial of a treatment for pulmonary hypertension in adults with sickle cell anemia has been stopped because of severe side effects in some participants.

The trial involved sildenafil — marketed as Viagra when it is used to treat erectile dysfunction and Revatio when used for pulmonary arterial hypertension, or high blood pressure in the lungs. Read More

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Severe COPD Linked to Mental Decline

July 10, 2009

THURSDAY, July 9 (HealthDay News) — Severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease appears linked to lower cognitive function in older adults, making it more difficult for them to remember and perform daily tasks, a new study finds.

Researchers at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City analyzed national data on 4,150 Americans aged 50 and older, including 492 with COPD. Of those, 153 had severe COPD. On a 35-point cognition scale, scores among all COPD patients declined an average of one-point between 1996 and 2002. Further analysis showed that patients with severe COPD had significantly lower scores than those without COPD. Read More

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Drug Found Ineffective Against Lung Disease

June 30, 2009

MONDAY, June 29 (HealthDay News) — Treatment with interferon gamma-1b (Ifn-g1b) does not improve survival in people with a fatal lung disease called idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, according to a study that was halted early after no benefit to participants was found.

Previous research had suggested that Ifn-g1b might benefit people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, particularly those with mild to moderate disease. Read More

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Soy in the Diet May Protect Lung Function

June 26, 2009

FRIDAY, June 26 (HealthDay News) — Consuming lots of soy foods such as tofu and soy milk may improve lung function and lower the chances of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), new research suggests.

Researchers asked 300 COPD patients in Japan and 340 age-matched healthy people about their soy intake. The results, published online in the journal Respiratory Research, indicate that consumption of soy products is associated with better lung function and reduced risk of COPD. Read More

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Asthma Discovery May Lead to Better Treatments

June 22, 2009

FRIDAY, June 19 (HealthDay News) — A key element in the development of chronic asthma has been identified by British researchers, who suggest that their finding may lead to new treatments.

The study by a team from King’s College London and Imperial College London helps explain why the structure and function of airways in people with asthma are remodeled and how these changes contribute to chronic asthma. Read More

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Lung Enzyme Both Friend and Foe

June 18, 2009

WEDNESDAY, June 17 (HealthDay News) — An enzyme involved in the development of emphysema also defends the lungs against bacterial infection, a new study finds.

It had been thought that the only thing macrophage elastase, matrix metalloproteinase-12 (MMP-12), did was degrade lung elasticity as part of the tissue destruction seen in emphysema patients. Read More

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