Flu Update Last flu season, the world went through the first influenza pandemic in more than 40 years. Many research teams are working on an universal flu shot that could protect people from all flu strains for decades or even life. People who were infected in the H1N1 pandemic developed an unusual immune response, making…
A Race We Do Not Want To Win! It wasn’t supposed to happen until 2020, but Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (COPD) is now the third leading cause of death in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control released a report, “Deaths: Preliminary Data for 2008,” confirming that COPD became the third leading cause of…
Respiratory News The FDA announced recently that it has taken enforcement action against five electronic cigarette companies for violations of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, including unsubstantiated claims and poor manufacturing practices. An international study looking at DNA from over 26,000 people has identified several genetic variants that substantially increase susceptibility…
Just One Good Day What would I give for one good day, a sail across a sky blue bay? A rainbow stretching cross’ the sky, a lone tear from a newborn’s eye. A drop of early morning dew, a cricket’s chirp in evening too. A Christmas tree with all the lights, a thousand…
Support Your Pulmonary Rehab! Pulmonary rehabilitation programs are closing around the country. Bill HR 6376 has been introduced in Congress that will, if passed, overturn a ruling by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) that is hurt- ing these outpatient programs. The ruling has been effective since January 1, 2010. CMS has…
Fibrosis File Pirfenidone Now Available in India Pharmaceutical company, Cipla, has introduced pirfenidone in India under the brand name Pirfenex, for the treatment of IPF (Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis). Until now there was no approved treatment for IPF. Pirfenidone has been shown to slow down progression of the disease and stabilize lung function. Earlier…
Calling Dr. Bauer Dear Dr. Bauer, I was recently diagnosed with sarcoidosis – can you tell me a little bit about it? Emily Barnes, Schenectady, NY I would bet that most of our readers have never heard of a lung disease called Sarcoidosis. Although not common, lung specialists see many patients with…
We need more research dollars! Nearly One Quarter Million Americans Are Diagnosed Annually On the front page of the Orlando Sentinel recently, Eric Gray recounted how he had been the head of the local American Lung Association chapter for four days when a woman demanded to know, “What the hell are you doing about…
Dear Dr. Bauer, My aunt is continually coming down with a pseudomonas infection. Could you explain what this is? Thank you. Roberta from Maine Pseudomonas is the name of a bacteria that can occasionally cause pneumonia but more often results in…
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has the facts on the 2010–2011 flu season. Who Should Get a Flu Vaccine This Season? It is now recommended for all people six months and older to receive an annual influenza vaccination. This is a new and expanded recommendation for this sea-son. In February 2010, CDC’s…