Fibrosis File Panther Study Stopped Researchers are reporting that a widely used combination treatment for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis increased the risk of death among patients with mild-to-moderate lung impairment. In a randomized trial, the combination of prednisone, azathioprine, and N-acetylcysteine (or NAC) also increased the risk of hospitalization compared with placebo, according to Fernando Martinez,…
Respiratory News Nebulized therapy is recommended for elderly people with severe disease and frequent exacerbations and for those with physical and/or cognitive limitations. A new study on the role of nebulized therapy in COPD showed many people did not use the hand-held nebulizers prop- erly often resulting in their getting less than optimal benefit from…
Assistance Available for Those with Alpha-1 Emphysema Alpha-1 Antitrypsin, a protein that is produced by the liver, plays an important role in protecting your lungs. If you lack this protein, you are at a great risk for developing emphysema at a much earlier age than the emphysema caused by cigarette smoking. A simple test will…
Nutrition News Dietary Advice During and After COPD Exacerbations Advice from NursingTimes.net When you have a respiratory infection, pneumonia or other type of exacerbation of your chronic lung disease, eating right can help get you on the road to recovery faster! During exacerbations: Eat small amounts, frequently throughout the day Choose soft, easy-to-eat foods that…
Ask Chris New Kid on the Block There is a new Portable Oxygen Concentrator (POC) for the continu- ous flow user! At nine pounds, the Philips Respironics SimplyGo is the smallest continuous flow POC today. Use as a stationary oxygen concentrator with up to 50 feet of extension tubing or as a port- able unit.…
Fibrosis File New Medication News for IPF Inhaled interferon-gamma may be an effective treat- ment for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) according to an article published in Journal of Aerosol Medicine and Pulmonary Drug Delivery. Nor- mally, injected deliv- ery of interferon- gamma can cause substantial side ef- fects; however, inhaling interferon-gamma directly into the lungs…
Calling Dr. Bauer My patients often ask me how I determine the proper oxygen flow for their concentrator at home or for their portable system. Tech- nology using pulse oximetry has made this decision a fairly easyone. Those small finger probes use light frequencies to sense pulsing blood. Technology enables them to calculate the percentage…
Global Initiative for chronic obstructive lung disease Global Strategy for the Diagnosis, Management, and Prevention of COPD Revised Recently In 1998, in an effort to bring more attention to the management and prevention of COPD, a committed group of scientists formed the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD). Among the important objectives of…
Tax Time Is Around the Corner! The Internal Revenue Service allows you to deduct expenses you paid for medical and dental care for your- self, your spouse and your dependents, if your total medical care expenses for the year exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income. (For years beginning after December 31, 2012, you may…
Calling Dr. Bauer It can often be quite uncomfortable for patients with severe lung disease to talk to their physicians about concerns of sexual intimacy. With Valen- tine’s Day approaching, I thought this might be a good time to share some written advice on the subject. With proper use of their medications and oxygen, exercising…