Respiratory News A calculation based on results from a large lung cancer screening trial projects 12,000 deaths a year among the highest-risk smokers and ex-smokers in the U.S. could be avoided with a national screening program of yearly CT scans. Unfortunately, without insurance coverage, the tests cost between $500 and $1,500 and may be prone…
Flu Tips from Dr Oz Later’nshah flu season and thankfully it is coming to an end! If you come down with the flu, TV’s Dr. Oz has some advice for you. Oz recommends you alternate between Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen. They target different receptors. By alternating them, you actually protect against over- loading your kidneys or…
Fibrosis File Pirfenidone Is a Go InterMune Inc medication Pirfenidone, is now avail- able in Canada. The drug is known as Esbriet and is promoted to be the only treatment indicated for mild to moderate IPF in adults. Esbriet was approved by Health Canada following a priority review granted due to the seriousness of IPF…
Calling Dr. Bauer Dr. Bauer on the Changing Climate of Oxygen Availability: These are tough times for the many companies that supply Durable Medical Equipment (oxygen concentrators, portable oxygen systems).These are tough times for you as well. As we all know, Medicare, Medicaid and all private insurance carriers are trying to decrease costs. In larger…
Respiratory News The FDA approved 39 new drugs in 2012 – the most in 16 years. There were eight approvals in December alone, including a new treatment from Johnson & Johnson called Sirturo for drug-resistant tuberculosis, the first new TB drug in decades. A new machine may increase the transplant pool and keep the lung…
Health Survey Finds Trends in COPD The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) recently published data from the nation’s largest telephone public health survey. The COPD Foundation re- ports the MMWR demonstrates that COPD is an important public health problem, and includes a number of trends worth noting:…
Fibrosis File Online Support Groups for Those with PF The Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis (CPF) has part- nered with Breathe Support to provide online support groups for those with Pulmonary Fibrosis (PF), families and caregivers. By exchanging support in this manner, most people are guaranteed the opportunity to talk with others. The groups have evolved…
Understanding Claims of Equivalency You have probably seen or heard of pulse oxygen systems like portable oxygen con- centrators (POCs), conserver regulators, and liquid portables having pulse settings “equivalent to liter flow,” suggesting that setting the device to “2” pulse, for example, will give you oxygen equivalent to that of 2 LPM continuous flow.…
Respiratory News A report in The Lancet tells us scientists have discovered an innovative treatment for bronchi- ectasis – regular doses of the antibiotic azithromycin. The research team enrolled 141 bronchiectasis patients in New Zealand. After six months, they discovered that 42 exacerbations occurred in the group receiving azithromy- cin versus 103 exacerbations…
Control Moisture to Counter Airway-Aggravating Molds we the develop can cause problems for those with already sensitive airways. Controlling moisture in your home is the most critical factor in prevent- ing mold growth. To prevent mold growth, clean wet items and sur- faces with detergent and water. To remove mold growth from hard…