Respiratory News Researchers from Australia found eating lots of soy products may improve lung function and reduce the risk of developing COPD and other respiratory symptoms. Flavonoids in soy act as an anti-inflammatory agent in the lung and may protect against tobacco carcinogens for smokers. Soy is found in many Japanese foods, including…
2009–2010 Flu Season Vaccine Update The FDA has approved the vaccine to protect against the 2009–2010 seasonal flu. People need to get vaccinated each year because the strains of circulating flu differ each year. This year you may be getting two injections. A separate vaccine to protect against H1N1 swine flu is now…
Product Corner New Portable Liquid O2 Device Hits Market GoLox is a new portable liquid oxygen device from Phillips Respironics. Weighing almost 4 pounds when full, it is said to last for 10 hours on a setting of 2. The unit has one continuous flow setting of 2LPM which will last for 2.5…
Simple Blood Tests for Alpha-1 Emphysema Alpha-1 antitrypsin is a protein in the blood that it is produced in liver cells. When you don’t have enough of this protein, it may result in Alpha-1 Emphysema. If you have developed your lung problems at an early age, you and members of your family should be tested…
Traveling Tales I live in the Denver area, and often travel through the mountains to see family in Western Colorado and to vacation at moderate (6000 to 7000 feet) elevations in the state. I am on continuous 4LPM. Neither my POC (portable oxygen concentrator), nor my “demand” type liquid O2 portable, can sustain…
Sharing the Health Ruth McClellan of Manchester, NH, was standing at a grocery counter when a young girl kept star- ing at her oxygen cannula. She finally turned to her Mom and very seriously asked, “Mom, is that lady a cat?” When she stopped laughing, Ruth explained to the little girl what oxygen…
Feelings It always helps to vent! If you or your caregiver would like to write about how you really feel about any aspect of chronic lung disease, we will credit you with a year’s membership. Please send to: The Pulmonary Paper, PO Box 877, Ormond Beach, FL 32175. I struggled for two years…
Ask Mark Laura from New Mexico writes, “I use Albuterol/Ipratropium Bromide in my nebulizer upon awakening and then within 15 minutes I use the Advair Discus. Is this the proper thing to do or should I wait at least two hours before using the Advair?” Jana from Louisiana also asks about proper spacing…
Fibrosis File Blood Test Alerts Physicians of IPF Decline The American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine reports investigators have identified proteins that could prove to be the first biomarker blood tests able to identify idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients at risk for sudden deterioration of lung function. For most IPF patients,…
Know Your Inhalers The American College of Chest Physicians want you to be aware of the difference between the old CFC inhalers compared with the HFA inhalers now in production. To get the prescribed medication, remember to use proper technique. Make sure you follow the proper priming instructions that come with each inhaler…