Our lungs play a vital role in our daily lives, allowing us to breathe in the oxygen we need to survive while removing waste gases from our bodies. Although our bodies have a natural defense system to help protect our lungs from germs and unwanted materials, there are ways we can improve our lung health…
A somnipathy, or sleep disorder, is a condition that negatively impacts a person’s sleep patterns. There are several kinds of sleep disorders, and experts often classify them based on their causes or how they affect the individual. The most common types of sleep disorders are parasomnias and dyssomnias. Let’s take a look at these two…
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…
Summer is the best time of year to explore and spend time outdoors. However, if you have asthma, you will want to take extra precautions while planning your next adventure – so that an asthma attack doesn’t turn your vacation into a nightmare. Severe asthma attacks can cause your airways to swell and narrow, which…
If you’re having a hard time sleeping every night, you might be considering seeing a medical sleep expert. So you may be wondering just how to go about finding such a doctor. There are various factors involved in finding the right sleep specialist for you. Let’s talk about some of the main things that you…
If you still cannot sleep well despite keeping a sleep journal, reducing your caffeine intake, avoiding media before bedtime, and incorporating other beneficial techniques into your lifestyle, then it is in your best interest to consider having a sleep study. Also referred to as polysomnography, a sleep study is a noninvasive overnight evaluation whereby your…
Having a good night’s sleep helps us to feel refreshed and rejuvenated for the next day, but the main reason why we need sleep is to give the brain a rest. That is why we cannot live without sleep. Doctors recommend consistent sleep between 7 and 9 hours every night. Frequent lack of adequate sleep…
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…
When someone has an allergic reaction to a substance, their body mistakenly interprets the substance to be a harmful invader – such as a bacterium or a virus. Many people have allergies to pollen, peanuts, or dust. An allergy is an unpleasant experience capable of hindering your quality of life, and some people’s allergies can…
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…
