Did you know approximately between 5 and 20% of Americans get the flu every year, particularly during flu season? The flu season in the United States begins in October, gets into full swing between December and February, and ends in March, depending on the state. In other words, winter is considered the prime season for…
Many people who get infected with COVID recover after a few weeks of illness, but there are some who experience health problems that stretch on four weeks or more after their initial infection. Even people who were asymptomatic during their COVID-19 infection can experience these health problems, collectively known as the long-haul or post-COVID syndrome…
Smoking was once part of America’s favorite pastimes. People smoked everywhere – in restaurants, in airplanes, in the workplace, et cetera. However, the trend started to dwindle as researchers began to uncover mountains of evidence linking smoking to many dangerous health conditions. In particular, long-term smoke inhalation increases your chances of getting COPD (chronic obstructive…
Spirometry is a simple test that is used to monitor and assess your lung function. It measures how much air you inhale and exhale and how quickly you do so. This test uses a medical device called a spirometer. It is a small machine connected through a cable to a mouthpiece. Spirometry is a safe…
Shortness of breath is the main symptom of emphysema, which is a chronic and progressive lung disease. The lungs’ air sacs, which are called alveoli, rupture – and thus cannot exchange as much oxygen with the blood as necessary. This also compromises the lungs’ ability to eliminate carbon dioxide from the blood and exhale it…
As we age, our bodies get more vulnerable to illnesses. It is essential to keep track of our physical fitness to stay active and healthy. This is what keeps us on our feet and lets us do the things we enjoy. One way doctors can assess whether we are healthy is through testing. An example…
