Did you know that, on average, 11 Americans die from asthma each day? This fact alone is enough to convey how life-threatening an asthma flare-up can be. An asthma attack, or flare-up, is a sudden worsening of asthma symptoms and lung function. An asthma flare-up can develop slowly– over hours, days, or sometimes weeks –…
Chronic bronchitis is the long-term inflammation of the tubes responsible for transporting air to and from the air sacs of the lungs (bronchi). Chronic bronchitis is one of the two conditions that fall under the under the chronic pulmonary obstructive disease (COPD) umbrella. Unlike acute bronchitis, which develops after the flu and goes after a…
A recent study in the U.K. has revealed that more people than ever before have quit smoking this year as a direct result of the COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) pandemic. In July 2020, the organization Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) reported that more than 1 million people stopped smoking since the coronavirus pandemic hit…
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…
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…
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…
For anyone experiencing an asthma flare up, there is nothing more terrifying than not being able to breathe. Even for someone who has learned to manage their symptoms, a periodic flare up can be frightening and is never welcome. With asthma, there is no cure, only management of symptoms and learning how to prevent flare…
Breathing should be easy. After all, it is an activity that everyone must do to stay alive. The oxygen that we breathe into our lungs is needed for the life of every cell in our body. Lung disease is therefore a serious health issue that can be life-threatening. Unhealthy working conditions can affect the quality…
Breathing should be easy. After all, it is an activity that everyone must do to stay alive. The oxygen that we breathe into our lungs is needed for the life of every cell in our body. Lung disease is therefore a serious health issue that can be life-threatening. Unhealthy working conditions can affect the quality…
In a single day, a person breathes an average of 25,000 times. Breathing is what keeps us alive. The cells in our bodies need oxygen to function properly and to grow. When we breathe, our lungs allow our bodies to take in oxygen from the air and deliver it to the bloodstream. But if our…
