OrganizedWisdom Health - Lungs and Respiration

Smoker's Cough

Jkg0679 — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 02:46:32 GMT

Smoker's cough is the term used to describe the coughing that is caused by smoking. This coughing typically occurs during the morning hours in order to clear the phlem that builds up in the lungs overnight. Smoker's cough is dry and does not produce a discharge of phlem.

Fast Facts:

Smoker's cough may be a symptom of lung cancer or a respiratory infection.
Smoker's cough can be treated by quitting smoking.
Quitting smoking may temporarily cause an increase in coughing.

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How Does Smoking Affect the Respiratory System

Jkg0679 — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 02:36:26 GMT

Smoking affects the respiratory system by changing the lungs and airways. Some of these changes are there is more mucus in the lungs and it becomes thicker, airways become narrow, lung tissue is destroyed, and cancer cells can develop on the lungs. Smoking can cause respiratory diseases such as emphysema, COPD, and lung cancer.

Fast Facts:

Second-hand smoke can cause the same health hazards and diseases as smoking does.
Smoking increases the risk of developing a respiratory infection.
Smoking also has harmful effects on the cardiovascular system.

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Asthma

TaraSal — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 20:25:58 GMT

Asthma is a disease in which the airways in the lungs become inflamed and constricted. These airways become swollen and very sensitive. When pollen, pollutants, or other asthma-triggering substances are inhaled, the muscles around the airway passages tighten. This causes less air to enter the lungs. Sometimes, breathing may become so difficult that an asthma attack becomes life-threatening.

Fast Facts:

Wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing are all symptoms of asthma.
Narrowing of the bronchial tubes is referred to as bronchospasm.
Treatment includes eliminating exposure to triggers, using medications for immediate relief, using medication for prevention, and seeking emergency care when necessary.

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Lung Cancer

AmyS — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 19:25:08 GMT

Lung cancer is among the most common cancers in the world. In the United States alone, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in men and women. Many cases of lung cancer may be prevented by quitting smoking and reducing exposure to radon, asbestos, and secondhand smoke.

Fast Facts:

Lung cancer affects more than 200,000 Americans each year.
Although cigarette smoking is the main cause, anyone can develop lung cancer.
Treatment options vary by the cancer's stage.

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Abbokinase and Pregnancy

Mindy6197 — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 02:36:30 GMT

Abbokinase (urokinase), a prescription medication used to prevent blood clots in the lungs, is considered relatively safe to use during pregnancy. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has labeled Abbokinase as a category B medication, meaning that studies done in animals did not indicate any risk to the developing fetus. Also, consult with your physician before breastfeeding, as it is currently unknown whether Abbokinase is excreted into breast milk.

Fast Facts:

While taking Abbokinase your physician may monitor your blood pressure, heart rate, breathing, and oxygen levels.
Some possible side effects associated with the use of Abbokinase include weight gain, back pain, and shortness of breath. If any of these symptoms become persistent or bothersome consult with your physician.
Abbokinase is only for use in adult patients, as the medication has not been completely studied in children.

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Dry Powder Inhalers

KenyottaE — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 02:24:23 GMT

Dry powder inhalers (DPIs) are used to deliver medication to the lungs. DPIs deliver the medication in a dry powder form, which requires you to breathe deeply to ensure that the medicine is adequately distributed to the lungs. DPIs are used for a number of conditions including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and bronchitis.

Fast Facts:

DPIs may not be the best method of delivering medicine during an asthma attack.
The use of a DPI can help to keep your symptoms in control, and reduce the risk of experiencing side effects that are common with medicines in the pill form.
Some DPIs have the medicine pre-loaded.

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Chronic Asthmatic Bronchitis

KenyottaE — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 01:27:42 GMT

Chronic asthmatic bronchitis, or bronchial asthma, occurs when the symptoms of asthma have become persistent and are causing airflow obstruction. The symptoms and obstruction continue despite asthma treatment. Chronic asthmatic bronchitis might cause complications such as acute bronchitis, pneumonia, and sinusitis.

Fast Facts:

Symptoms of chronic asthmatic bronchitis include wheezing, recurrent infections, and shortness of breath.
It is unknown why some people with asthma develop chronic asthmatic bronchitis.
Chronic asthmatic bronchitis may also involve emphysema.

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COPD vs. Pulmonary Fibrosis

BrianGS — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 00:51:18 GMT

There is significant overlap in the symptoms and functional deficits of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (or COPD) and pulmonary fibrosis. Pulmonary fibrosis describes the end result of lungs that have been damaged and have scar tissue. The damaged lungs of patients with COPD can also display changes consistent with pulmonary fibrosis. COPD is usually defined by the presence of chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (also referred to as IPF) is a distinct inflammatory condition of the lungs, and it's a condition of unknown origin. It is also characterized by excessive scarring and replacement of lung tissue with abnormal fibrous tissue.

Fast Facts:

COPD affects nearly 12 million people in the U.S. and is the fourth most common cause of death.
In the U.S., there are about 200,000 patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and approximately 50,000 new cases are diagnosed annually.
There is at least one clinical trial underway to evaluate the use of adult stem cells to treat patients with moderate to severe COPD.

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Erythromycin

SScroggins — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 16:53:25 GMT

Erythromicyn is an antibiotic medication that is sometimes recommended in the treatment of various types of bacterial infections. Erythromycin is available in various forms and should be taken exactly as directed. Common side effects associated with the use of erythromycin include: diarrhea, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, and abdominal pain. Erythromycin belongs to a group of drugs called macrolide antibiotics, which fight bacteria in the body.

Fast Facts

Erythromycin should not be taken with other medication such as astemizole, cisapride, or pimozide in order to avoid potentially serious drug interactions.
Patients using erythromycin should be advised that the medication can sometimes result in a sensitivity to sunlight.
Erythromycin is a generic medication that is sometimes sold under the brand names Ery-C, Ery-Tab, and PCE Dispertab.

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Bevacizumab

SScroggins — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 14:36:17 GMT

Bevacizumab (sold under the brand name Avastin) is a drug that is used in the treatment of metastatic colon cancer, rectal cancer, and lung cancer. In addition, it is also approved for the treatment of metastatic HER2-negative breast cancer. Some ophthalomologists use bevacizumab in the treatment of age-related macular degeneration.

Fast Facts:

Bevacizumab is the first commercially available angiogenesis inhibitor.
Several side effects have been reported, particularly hypertension and an increased risk of bleeding; bowel perforation has also been reported after bevacizumab use.
Bevacizumab may interfere with wound healing.
Bevacizumab is usually given intravenously, once every two weeks.

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