Cigarette smoking may cause more deaths than currently estimated

Cigarette smoking is even more deadly than you think — US Smoking deaths may be underestimated: Study – A new study suggests that current estimates significantly underestimate the number of Americans who die from cigarette smoking. The Surgeon General estimates that each year, smoking kills about 480,000 Americans.

COPD patients at higher risk of heart failure

COPD patients at significantly higher risk of heart failure – Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have a complication to worry about is heart failure. A new study found the prevalence of heart failure is significantly higher in patients with COPD compared to the rest of the study population. They also found that the risk was especially high among African-American patients with COPD.

Acupuncture improved dyspnea in patients with COPD

Acupuncture appears linked with improvement in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease – Acupuncture appears to be associated with improvement of dyspnea (labored breathing) on exertion, in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) revealed by researchers in a new study. The management of dyspnea is an important target in the treatment of COPD, a common respiratory disease characterized by irreversible airflow limitation. COPD is predicted to be the third leading cause of death worldwide by 2020.

New class of asthma, COPD drugs identified

Researchers move closer to identifying new class of asthma, COPD drugs – Researchers in Baltimore have identified new compounds which relax airway muscles and may provide relief from shortness of breath for patients with COPD and asthma.

Cigarette smoke causes harmful changes in lungs even at lowest levels

Cigarette smoke causes harmful changes in the lungs even at the lowest levels — First study to show alteration in the function of genes in the lungs resulting from secondhand and low-level smoking – Casual smokers may think that smoking a few cigarettes a week is “no big deal.” But according to new research from physician-scientists at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, having an infrequent smoke, or being exposed to secondhand smoke, may be doing more harm than people may think.

Beta blockers may benefit COPD lung disease

Beta-Blockers May Be Associated With Benefits in Patients With Lung Disease – Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may have fewer respiratory flare-ups and longer survival if they take beta-blocker medications, according to a report in the May 24 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

New safety controls for asthma drugs, US

FDA Announces New Safety Controls for Long-Acting Beta Agonists, Medications Used to Treat Asthma – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that drugs in the class of long-acting beta agonists (LABAs) should never be used alone in the treatment of asthma in children or adults.

New genes for lung disease discovered

NIH-funded study unveils potential genetic links to lung disease risk — New genes for lung disease discovered, New genetics study by consortium led by universities of Leicester and Nottingham – Scientists have discovered five genetic variants that are associated with the health of the human lung. The research by an international consortium of 96 scientists from 63 centres in Europe and Australia sheds new light on the molecular basis of lung diseases.

Soy, tofu, sprouts can improve COPD symptoms

Curtin University of Technology researchers have found that long-term consumption of soy products can reduce the risk and symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). – Using soy products, like tofu, natto, bean sprouts and soy milk, can reduce the risk and symptoms of lung disease i.e. chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Taking 75g of soy products daily is having the most health benefits and improving the lung fuction in human beings.

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