WEDNESDAY, May 22 (HealthDay News) — Roughly four in 10 uninsured patients who have been diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) actually do not have the lung disease, a small new study suggests.
At issue: Faulty diagnoses were made based on an evaluation of symptoms, rather than by means of the so-called “gold standard” disease [...]
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COPD May Be Over-Diagnosed Among Uninsured
May 22, 2013
COPD Patients May Do Fine With Shorter Course of Steroids
May 21, 2013
By Steven ReinbergHealthDay Reporter
TUESDAY, May 21 (HealthDay News) — Less is more when it comes to steroid therapy for patients having severe bouts of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to Swiss investigators.
Five days of glucocorticoid treatment with prednisone to treat COPD flare-ups was as good as the standard 14 days, but with fewer chances [...]
Pain a Common Problem for People With COPD
May 21, 2013
TUESDAY, May 21 (HealthDay News) — Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients experience a significant amount of pain, new research suggests.
Pain levels are nearly on par with the kind of discomfort experienced by many osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis patients, according to the study, which is scheduled for presentation Tuesday at the American Thoracic Society annual [...]
Long-Term Use of Antibiotic May Help Those With COPD
May 21, 2013
TUESDAY, May 21 (HealthDay News) — Thousands of Americans, many of them smokers or ex-smokers, suffer from the lung condition known as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Now a new study finds that patients placed on the common antibiotic azithromycin may be able to cut down on hospitalizations due to flare-ups of the disease.
“Given that [...]
Certain COPD Meds Might Raise Heart Risks, Study Says
May 20, 2013
By Alan MozesHealthDay Reporter
MONDAY, May 20 (HealthDay News) — Long-acting inhaled medications used by millions of people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may raise the risk of cardiovascular complications among older patients, a new large Canadian study reveals.
The finding centers around patients over age 65 who are prescribed long-acting bronchodilators — either anticholinergics (such [...]
Living Near Major Roadways in Pregnancy Tied to Respiratory Woes in Children
May 20, 2013
MONDAY, May 20 (HealthDay News) — A child whose mother lived near heavy traffic while pregnant faces a relatively higher risk for developing a respiratory infection before the age of 3, a new study suggests.
Researchers looked at data involving nearly 1,300 pairs of mothers and infants from eastern Massachusetts. All the mothers began study participation [...]
Study: Older Whooping Cough Vaccine More Effective
May 20, 2013
By Serena GordonHealthDay Reporter
MONDAY, May 20 (HealthDay News) — The older vaccine for whooping cough that was phased out in the late 1990s is more effective than the current version of the vaccine, a new study contends.
Teenagers who received four shots with the older vaccine — called whole-cell vaccine — before they were 2 years [...]
Tiny Particles Shed By Household Products Tied to Lung Damage
May 14, 2013
Inhaling ultrafine particles from so-called “nanomaterials” — which are used in a growing number of household and commercial products, including sunscreens, ink in copy machines and lightweight sporting equipment — can cause lung inflammation and damage, a team of U.S. scientists says.
Allergies May Boost Severity of Lung Disease
May 10, 2013
FRIDAY, May 10 (HealthDay News) — Hay fever and similar allergies increase the frequency and severity of respiratory problems in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a new study shows.
COPD is a progressive lung disease that makes it difficult to breathe.
In this study, researchers looked at more than 1,400 patients with COPD, and found [...]
Reducing Respiratory Virus in Preemies Lessens Wheezing: Study
May 8, 2013
By Serena GordonHealthDay Reporter
WEDNESDAY, May 8 (HealthDay News) — Many pre-term babies suffer recurrent episodes of wheezing. Now, researchers say a common infection is a likely culprit and they may be able to prevent the breathing problems.
Wheezing episodes in late pre-term babies often are caused by infection with the respiratory synctial virus (RSV), the researchers [...]
Previous COPD Stories
For Pregnant Smokers, Vitamin C Might Help Babies’ Lungs
Some Blackboard Chalks Might Spur Allergies in Kids: Study
Trees Plus Man-Made Pollution Creates Smog, Study Suggests
Many Americans Breathing Cleaner Air
Many Parents Give Kids Cold Medicines When They Shouldn’t, Survey Finds
Popular Cinnamon Stunt Can Have Serious Lung Effects
Breathing Problem Sometimes Misdiagnosed in Athletes
