September 15, 2007

For the first time, a panel of experts at the American College of Chest Physicians has issued treatment guidelines for lung cancer patients that includes alternative therapies.

Massage therapy is suggested for patients in the grips of chronic pain when drugs fail to provide enough relief. And acupuncture is urged for those experiencing the nausea and fatigue that can accompany conventional chemotherapy.

At the same time, the panel warns against certain vitamin and mineral supplements such as beta carotene and vitamin A, both of which have been linked to an increase in the risk of lung cancer among smokers.

'Mind-body' therapies to treat lung cancer

Filed under: Lung Cancer | Comments (0)

April 17, 2007

New research suggests that frequent consumption of cured meats such as bacon may contribute to COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder). The nitrates in the meat are suspected to be the cause.

Dr Rui Jiang, leading the research, said high levels of nitrites are used in cured meats such as bacon as preservatives, anti-bacterial agents and colour fixatives.

He said reactive nitrogen species, molecules that can damage body tissues, might be the key.

He said: "Nitrites generate reactive nitrogen species that may cause damage to the lungs, producing structural changes resembling emphysema."

Back away from the bacon, folks!

Too much bacon 'bad for lungs'

Filed under: COPD | Comments (3)

February 6, 2007

Cigarette package warning labels have been found to be very effective at changing smokers' behavior, though not all warning labels have the same effect.

The study found that health warnings on cigarette packages in the United States, which were last updated in 1984, are the least effective, consisting of only small text warnings on the side of packages.

Canadian warnings appear to be more effective as the cigarette package is covered in a large "photograph of health damage caused by smoking."

U.S. Cigarette Pack Warnings Ineffective: Study

Filed under: Smoking | Comments (2)

January 26, 2007

According to a new report, low-dose carbon monoxide blocks damage done to lungs by necessary oxygen therapy in people with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

The pure oxygen "saves their life in the short-term, but long-term exposure appears to cause significant damage to many cell types including the epithelial and endothelial cells of the lung," [lead author Dr. Augustine Choi] explained ... By administering oxygen mixed with a very small amount of carbon monoxide we may be able to significantly reduce such oxygen-associated damage and cell death."

Deadly gas may save lungs from oxygen damage

Filed under: ARDS | Comments (0)

October 29, 2006

A new study at New York University has found that truck fumes may be responsible for the high asthma hospitalization rate for kids in the South Bronx.

... only 5 percent to 10 percent of the fine particle pollution was soot from diesel exhaust, but it was that portion that seemed to be having the worst effect on the children's asthma. He said their symptoms, like wheezing, doubled on days when pollution from truck traffic was highest.

Study links truck fumes with asthma

Filed under: Asthma | Comments (0)