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Coughing May Be a Serious Sign Story

Coughing May Be a Serious Sign

According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI), waking up coughing or having a prolonged cough that lasts for weeks should receive serious medical attention. Alan Goldsobel of AAAAI explains, "Coughing protects the body by removing mucus and irritating particles from the respiratory tract. Coughing is a useful function that does not always mean there is a problem. However, coughing at night, after going to sleep indicates the need for medical attention." (Read more about Coughing May Be a Serious Sign)

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How COPD Affects Women Story

How COPD Affects Women

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is on the rise among women and, since 2000, their mortality rates have surpassed those of men. However, despite the rising prevalence, morbidity, and mortality among women, there is little medical understanding of the disease's gender differences. A recent study in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine has demonstrate the disease is manifested differently in the genders, and risk factors, symptoms, disease progression, and even diagnosis, differ substantially. (Read more about How COPD Affects Women)

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Diagnosis and Treatment Guidelines For Stable COPD Story

Diagnosis and Treatment Guidelines For Stable COPD

The American College of Physicians has released an updated clinical practice guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD is a collection of slowly progressing lung diseases more commonly found in smokers. Over 5% of adults in the US have COPD and it is the fourth primary cause of death and twelfth leading cause of illness. A patient suffering from the disease will typically have a chronic cough, wheezing, and some patients also have a shortness of breath and and activity limitation. (Read more about Diagnosis and Treatment Guidelines For Stable COPD)

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What Is The Impact of Smoking on Vascular Disease? Story

What Is The Impact of Smoking on Vascular Disease?

Smoking is one of the very strong risk factors for developing vascular disease. We have seen very young people who smoke develop vascular disease. Normally as our arteries become blocked, it is a part of aging. Most of the patients with vascular disease are in the 60's, 70s and beyond. But one who smokes very heavily, someone who started smoking very early in their teens, one who smokes one or two packs a day regularly... we see that they get vascular disease 10 to 20 years earlier. Some people in their 40s have severe vascular disease. So there is no question that smoking is a strong risk factor. (Read more about What Is The Impact of Smoking on Vascular Disease?)

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Air Pollution Can Lead to Appearance of Blood Clots Story

Air Pollution Can Lead to Appearance of Blood Clots

A recent study on Air pollution reported in the Journal of Clinical Investigation may explain how small particles in air pollution might trigger blood clots and cause heart attacks and strokes. While there is a known link between particulate air pollution and elevated risk of cardiovascular events, the underlying mechanism remains a mystery. Recent studies on animals and humans found that the small particles in air pollution may disrupt hemostasis - the methods allowing blood to be maintained in a fluid state. (Read more about Air Pollution Can Lead to Appearance of Blood Clots)

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Reducing Stress Lowers Risk of Cardiovascular Problems Story

Reducing Stress Lowers Risk of Cardiovascular Problems

A Review in The Lancet reveals the importance of healthy lifestyle choices to reduce stressors related to cardiovascular risk factors. Researchers from John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore examined records between 1990 to 2006. They observed how stress affects the sympathetic nervous system, impacts physiology, and the effect it has on the cardiovascular system. Lead author, Daniel Brotman, claims "Acute physical stressors such as sugery, trauma, and intense physical exertion are well known triggers of cardiovascular events. Emotional stressors are increasingly recognized as precipitants of such events." (Read more about Reducing Stress Lowers Risk of Cardiovascular Problems)

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Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Is Becoming Widespread Story

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Is Becoming Widespread

A study in the September issue of The Lancet suggests that the the global rate of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is higher than previous estimates have suggested and is becoming more prevalent as the world's population ages. The researchers believe that the solution to this rising burden on health care is through cost effective prevention. The researchers found that smoking is the biggest risk factor for the disease, followed by exposure to indoor and outdoor pollution. Illnesses and unsafe working conditions are additional risk factors for developing chronic lung disease. (Read more about Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Is Becoming Widespread)

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The Health Implications of Pollution Story

The Health Implications of Pollution

The presence of even low levels of air pollution can increase a person's risk of early death, according to research published in the Thorax journal of respiratory medicine. The researchers examined the air quality in different regions of Britain during different time periods as well as national data on the causes of death-more than 5000 adults over age 30 were included. (Read more about The Health Implications of Pollution)

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Children of Smokers Are Less Healthy Than They Seem Story

Children of Smokers Are Less Healthy Than They Seem

Children with smoking parents may not be as healthy as they appear.

A study presented at the American Thoracic Society International Conference shows that although children of smokers may not exhibit respiratory problems, they may still be suffering from damage to their airways. Some researchers claim that children of smokers are more likely to have respiratory problems such as puffing, wheezing, and cases of pneumonia. However it is unclear if there is impairment in children who have no respiratory complaints or diagnosed problems. (Read more about Children of Smokers Are Less Healthy Than They Seem)

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Remedy or Ripoff O Stick Story

Remedy or Ripoff O Stick

Not feeling energized these days?

Well, maybe a new device that administers extra enriched oxygen could help get rid of your sluggishness. (Read more about Remedy or Ripoff O Stick)

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