Fibrosis File The Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis (www. coalitionforpf.org, 1-888-222-8541) recently sponsored the fifth annual National Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) Awareness Week. Nearly 50 advocates, many of whom were patients and family members, took part in meetings on Capitol Hill and urged Congress to increase federal funding for IPF research in the Fiscal Year…
Respiratory News A Belgian study published in the Journal of Respira- tory and Critical Care Medicine found high doses of Vitamin D taken during pulmonary rehabilitation brought significant improvements in those with COPD. Spirometrics The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute is spon- soring a seven year study to explore subsets of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary…
Exasperating Exacerbations! A majority of patients with COPD who develop a rhinovirus infection (most common cause of a cold) develop a secondary bacterial infection, suggesting that early antiviral therapy might be very beneficial. The American College of Chest Physicians reports a daily dose of the antibiotic Azithromycin reduced the frequencies of exacerbations and improved the…
Traveling News cruise Ships and Smoking Policies Smart cruise lines have realized that stricter policies are needed when it comes to allowing smoking on their ships. We salute those that totally prohibit cigarette smoking in the cabins – balcony or not! Azamara, Celebrity, MSC, Oceania and Regent Cruise Lines now prohibit smoking in all…
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Reports Rise in Asthma Cases in U.S. The CDC reports asthma cases in the U.S. have risen 12.3% since 2001, and nearly one in 12 Americans are diagnosed with the disease. Officials say they do not understand why more people are getting asthma, especially when fewer Americans are…
Sharing the Health I have both emphysema and asthma and use supple- mental oxygen on 2–3 LPM at rest and at least 5 LPM on exertion. When I develop a really stressful attack of shortness of breath, I find using my little blue “Breather” helps me remedy my condition faster than doing pursed lip…
Lois from Pennsylvania just began using a nebulizer with Albuterol. She complains it is noisy, uncomfortable and a bother to clean. Since she reg- ularly uses Spiriva and Advair and so far feels no benefit from the nebulizer treatments, would her physician change the medication? Mark answers, Albuterol is often used as a “rescue”…
Portable Oxygen Concentrator Care when you use your POC frequently (Jeri Mondloch of Minnesota just turned hers in with 10,000 of Minnesota just turned hers in with 10,000hours on it!), you should be aware of how to keep itworking properly. The manufacturer of the Sequal Eclipse provides the following tips to keep your unit…
Many readers have asked Dr. Bauer about the need for antibiotics routinely when breathing symptoms become worse. Most all practitioners would support the notion that antibiotics are being vastly over-prescribed. There are many reasons for this. Patient expectations are a major factor. Advertizing by the big drug companies may also play a role. The fact…
Part 2: First you tell me I have lung disease … Now You Tell Me I Have Pulmonary Hypertension! by John R. Goodman, BS RRT This 2-part article was written to give you a better understanding of Pulmonary Hypertension and how it develops in patients with chronic lung disease. Part 2: Pulmonary Hypertension (PH)…