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All Lung Disorders Alerts

Should You Be Screened for Lung Cancer?

Are you a smoker who's thinking about getting a computed tomography (CT) scan to check for lung cancer? If your answer is yes, you might want to reconsider. Here’s why …  More...

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The Mental Health Consequences of COPD

When you hear that you have a serious medical condition like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), it's normal to feel anxious and worried about the future. And with the increasing limitations on daily activities that often accompany the condition, it's not surprising that you're likely to feel sad. But if these feelings last for more than a few weeks and interfere with your daily life, you could have an anxiety disorder or depression.  More...

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Got Asthma? Get a Flu Shot

Outbreaks of the flu occur each winter and last for two to three months, leading to infection in 10 to 20% of the population. Influenza can worsen the symptoms experienced by people who have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma. It can also make a person more prone to a bacterial infection that causes pneumonia, or the flu virus itself can cause pneumonia.  More...

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COPD Patients: Take a Deep Breath

Proper technique is the key to benefiting from dry powder inhalers (DPIs) that treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. But data presented at the annual meeting of the American College of Chest Physicians suggest that many patients with COPD can't or don't know how to use their inhalers properly.   More...

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Research on Dangers of Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is characterized by repeated episodes of breathing cessation (apnea) during sleep. These episodes last from 10 seconds to nearly a minute, ending with a brief partial arousal. This can occur and disrupt sleep hundreds of times throughout one night.   More...

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Is Fiber Good For Your Lungs? Stay Tuned

Q. I heard recently that eating more fiber is good for the lungs. Is that just marketing hype?   More...

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Getting Rid of Dust Mites

If you have asthma, it’s important to avoid asthma triggers whenever possible -- but sometimes it’s not so easy. A reader asks: I am meticulous about keeping my home dust free, but it doesn't seem to help my asthma. Am I doing something wrong?   More...

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True or False: Thunderstorms Trigger Asthma Attacks

or some asthma patients, the answer is “True.” Scientists in Atlanta report a surprising asthma trigger -- thunderstorms. They found that thunderstorms are associated with a 3% increase in emergency room visits for asthma.   More...

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COPD Flare-Up Advice

COPD complications can be serious. Johns Hopkins specialists provide bottom line advice to help you recognize a COPD problem before it turns dangerous.   More...

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All That Wheezes Is Not Asthma

Short of breath? Coughing? Chest pain? Johns Hopkins doctors explain why you should take your symptoms seriously.  More...

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Is Your Cough A Sign of Something Serious?

We all cough from time to time, but severe coughing may signal a respiratory disease. Any cough that lasts more than two months is defined as chronic and requires medical attention.   More...

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Conserving Energy When You Have COPD

If you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), you know that going about your daily routine can be exhausting. Even though activities such as bathing, grooming, and dressing require a great deal of energy, careful planning can help you get through these tasks more quickly and with less effort. Here's some straight-talking advice from Johns Hopkins.  More...

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The Benefits of Oxygen Therapy

If you use supplemental oxygen, you may be wondering if your body will become dependent on it. Dr. Peter Terry, Professor of Medicine in the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at Johns Hopkins, addesses this common concern.   More...

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What You DON'T Know About Smoking and COPD

According to a recent study, if you're a smoker, moderate to high levels of exercise may help slow the decline of your lung function and reduce your risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD . Here's what the research shows.   More...

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Asthma and GERD

Do you have asthma? If you do, there's a good chance you could also have gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD. Johns Hopkins discusses the link between these two common lung conditions.   More...

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How Lung Disorders Block the Airways

In this Health Alert and accompanying illustration, Johns Hopkins explains how lung disorders block the airways and cause discomfort – shortness of breath, coughing, noisy breathing, and chest pain.  More...

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Got Asthma? Prevent Relapse With Corticosteroids

Most asthma attacks require medication. Milder attacks are most common and usually begin with tightness in the chest and a cough. Breathing may be accompanied by wheezing as well as by restlessness and difficulty sleeping. Sometimes these mild attacks seem to improve for a while, only to be followed by the reappearance of persistent symptoms which require treatment in a hospital.  More...

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Help for Snorers

If you have sleep apnea or another condition that causes snoring, you may want to talk with your doctor about the Thornton Adjustable Positioner II. It could help.  More...

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Talking About Flu Shots

In this excerpt from our Health After 50 newsletter, Johns Hopkins doctors answer frequently-asked questions about flu shots. Bottom Line Recommendation: Get your flu shot! It's flu season once again. October and November are the best months for vaccination, but a shot in December or even later can still be beneficial. Amidst the reminders and recommendations to get a flu shot, many people remain unsure about side effects, the availability of a nasal vaccine, and whether…  More...

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Breathing Advice From Dr. Terry

If you have COPD, you may have to learn how to breathe all over again! Breathing exercises, such as pursed-lip breathing or diaphragmatic breathing techniques can help you control your breathing and improve the function of your respiratory muscles. In this health alert, Dr. Peter B. Terry answers the question, 'I have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). I notice that I become short of breath when I bend over. Why is that?' …  More...

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Thick Waist? Trouble Breathing!

Is there any relationship between waist circumference and lung function? A recent report suggests there is. If you're experiencing shortness of breath, your doctor may ask you to use a treadmill or stationary bicycle to evaluate your shortness of breath and determine whether it's caused by a lung problem, heart disease, or simply by being out of shape. …  More...

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Diet Do's and Don’ts For Patients With COPD

Recent studies confirm that diet affects your risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), providing yet another reason to eat healthy foods! Your diet may influence your risk of COPD, studies show. One study of data from more than 51,000 men finds that those who consumed a diet rich in fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and fish had a 50%lower risk of developing COPD than men who ate a diet rich in refined grains, cured and…  More...

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The Asthma-Cough Connection

Many people with asthma suffer from shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, and tightness in the chest, but don't understand why these symptoms occur. In this Health Alert, Dr. Peter B. Terry, Professor of Medicine in the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at Johns Hopkins explains why asthma causes coughing. …  More...

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Treatment Options for COPD

Living with COPD is difficult -- it can keep you from the simplest tasks, such as dressing, washing, or doing light housework. What can you do? In this Health Alert, Peter Terry, M.D., Professor of Medicine in the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at Johns Hopkins discusses COPD treatment options. …  More...

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Pulmonary Rehabilitation Improves Life for Emphysema Patients

Good news for patients with emphysema. Results from the NETT trial show that pulmonary rehabilitation can significantly improve health-related quality of life for patients with emphysema. Emphysema is a disorder characterized by destruction of lung tissue, including its elastic fibers. By reducing the elasticity of the lungs and destroying the walls of some of the air sacs, emphysema leads to the collapse of the airways, reducing airflow. More than three million Americans have emphysema, which is…  More...

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Researchers Identify Gene Linked to Lung Cancer -- Same Gene Can Influence Smoking Behavior

2008 JOHNS HOPKINS PRESS RELEASE Why do some smokers get lung cancer, while other don't? Results from a new study may begin to answer this intriguing question. Researchers at Johns Hopkins, as part of a large, multi-institutional study, have found one gene variant that is linked to an increased risk of lung cancer. The study was published in the April 3, 2008 issue of Nature Genetics. …  More...

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The Truth About Smoking Cessation

Quitting smoking is hard, but not impossible. In this excerpt from our newsletter Health After 50, Johns Hopkins reviews your options. Despite a steady decline in the number of smokers, tobacco continues to cause twice as many deaths per year as AIDS, alcohol abuse, motor vehicle collisions, illicit drug use, and suicides combined. Understandably, knowledge of the dangers of smoking or the benefits of quitting smoking is typically not enough to motivate people to quit. Nicotine…  More...

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Why a Shorter Course of Antibiotics for Pneumonia Makes Sense

A recent study shows that a short three-day course of antibiotics effectively treats pneumonia. Pneumonia is an infection of the air sacs and surrounding lung tissue. Pneumonia is the sixth leading cause of death overall and the primary cause of death from infectious disease in the United States, claiming the lives of about 65,000 Americans each year. Most people who die of pneumonia are over the age of 65, and often they have had underlying disorders…  More...

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Rethinking Cough Medications for the Common Cold

What should you take to soothe a bad cough? Experts from the American College of Chest Physicians have issued guidelines … and their advice may surprise you.  More...

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COPD Support From Those Who Know Best

People living with COPD face many challenges and it's easy to feel overwhelmed, powerless, or alone. A COPD support group can help. Finding an experienced physician to treat you or a loved one for lung disease is an important step. But however well trained, few doctors are likely to know what it really feels like to try to get through the day with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or lung cancer. The experts who can give…  More...

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COPD Guidelines

A recent study shows that COPD patients often receive substandard hospital care. Our recommendation: COPD patients should keep a list of recommended tests and treatments with them in case they are hospitalized. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) – which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema -- is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. Now a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine (Volume 144, page 894) reports that two thirds of patients…  More...

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New Research on Asthma

Older people with asthma tend to fare better than younger asthma patients, even though they have worse lung function, a new study concludes. The three-year study, reported in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (Volume 96, page 406), included people with severe or difficult-to-treat asthma. Participants were under a doctor’s care for at least one year and used a lot of medication or health care resources.…  More...

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The Risks of Long-Term Oral Steroid Use

The higher the steroid dose, the more likely that side effects -- cataracts, osteoporosis, diabetes, high blood pressure, muscle weakness, hair loss -- may occur. As a growing number of people with lung disease are living longer, more people are taking long-term oral steroids for asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and other chronic lung conditions. …  More...

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Viagra and Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a disorder characterized by repeated episodes of breathing cessation (apnea) during sleep. These episodes last from 10 seconds to nearly a minute, ending with a brief partial arousal. Episodes of sleep apnea can occur (and disrupt sleep) hundreds of times throughout one night. An estimated 18 million Americans have obstructive sleep apnea, yet 95% of them are undiagnosed and untreated. Sleep apnea is about twice as common among men as among women.  More...

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Recognizing COPD Complications

COPD complications can be serious. Johns Hopkins specialists provide bottom line advice to help you recognize a COPD problem before it turns dangerous.   More...

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Spirometry for COPD

Have you ever had a spirometry lung function test? New research shows that most patients are diagnosed with COPD based only on their symptoms. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a term that encompasses chronic bronchitis and emphysema. The symptoms of COPD develop slowly over many several years and include wheezing, a chronic cough that produces phlegm, and progressive shortness of breath. COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. …  More...

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Beware of VOCS

A new study finds that a chemical compound in many air fresheners, toilet bowl cleaners, and mothballs may harm the lungs. Researchers at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences found that exposure to a volatile organic compound (VOC) called 1,4 dichlorobenzene (1.4 DCB) may cause reductions in lung function.   More...

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8 Asthma Triggers to Avoid

May 1 is World Asthma Day – the perfect time to review allergens that may trigger your asthma symptoms and to discuss steps you can take to breathe easier. Here Dr. Peter B. Terry, professor of medicine in the division of Pulmonary Medicine at Johns Hopkins, offers advice that can help – even if you suffer from chronic, long-term asthma. …  More...

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Can Lung Cancer Screening Save Lives?

Johns Hopkins experts weigh the risks and benefits of CT scans to detect lung cancer. Lung cancer screening made headlines recently when The Early Lung Cancer Action Project (ELCAP) published new findings about spiral computed tomography (CT). This extremely sensitive imaging test detects lung cancer tumors under 1 cm in diameter. Traditional chest x-rays only detect lung cancer tumors 1-2 cm in size (stage I lung cancer tumors are defined as 3 cm or smaller). If…  More...

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Traveling Smart with Oxygen

Air travel offers special challenges for people who use supplement oxygen. Here’s some helpful advice from the experts at Johns Hopkins … Call your doctor as soon as you know you’re going away. If you have COPD and don’t normally use supplemental oxygen, you may now need it if you’re traveling by air, as low oxygen levels in the…  More...

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Interstitial Lung Disease

Symptoms of interstitial lung disease vary widely and may persist for months, even years. Interstitial lung disease (ILD) refers to a group of more than 200 chronic disorders in which lung tissue is damaged, the walls of the air sacs become inflamed, and scarring (fibrosis) begins in the interstitium -- the tissue between the air sacs. Though many of the disorders are uncommon, taken together interstitial lung disease is a frequent cause of respiratory problems, accounting…  More...

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Your Lung Disorders Medical Team

Johns Hopkins professor Dr. Peter B. Terry talks about the team of doctors who will treat you if you have a serious lung disorder, such as lung cancer. If you have a serious lung disorder, you may see several specialists during the course of your treatment. 'My patients often ask why they are seeing so many doctors,” says Peter B. Terry, M.D., author of the Johns Hopkins Lung Disorders White Paper. 'A person with lung…  More...

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The "Quiet" Symptoms of Lung Cancer

Although lung cancer is often thought to be a 'silent disease,' with no symptoms appearing until it’s too late for treatment, a new study finds that some lung cancer patients had symptoms for many months before they were diagnosed. This study of 22 men and women recently diagnosed with lung cancer found that patients recalled having new symptoms for many months, typically during the year before their lung cancer diagnosis, no matter what the stage of their disease when diagnosed.  More...

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Before You Take Antibiotics for Bronchitis, Consider This

Johns Hopkins professor Peter B. Terry, M.D. explains how overuse can lead to antibiotic resistance. Many people who develop bronchitis go to their physician assuming they’ll receive antibiotics to clear up the bronchitis. But a recent study found that people with bronchitis or other uncomplicated lower respiratory tract infections who take antibiotics for their condition have little difference in relief of symptoms compared with patients who don’t take antibiotics. …  More...

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The Instant Benefits of Quitting Smoking

Virtually the minute you quit smoking, your health begins to improve. The negative effects of smoking are clear: One in every three people who starts smoking will die prematurely of a smoking-related illness, according to the American Lung Association. And one in every five deaths stems directly from tobacco exposure. But the good news is that it’s never too late to quit smoking. The benefits of smoking cessation begin within a few minutes of your last…  More...

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Got Asthma? Beware of Drug Interactions

Play it safe -- talk to your doctor about ALL the medications you’re taking. Many adults with asthma may take a number of prescription and over the-counter medications to treat a variety of conditions. Some of these medications may trigger or worsen asthma symptoms. If you take any of the medications discussed below, it’s important to talk to your doctor about their possible negative effects on your asthma. …  More...

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All That Wheezes Is Not Asthma

Short of breath? Coughing? Johns Hopkins Doctors Explain Why You Should Take Your Symptoms Seriously. Many lung disorders produce similar symptoms, but the severity and duration of these symptoms can vary considerably from disease to disease. The lung disorders can be acute (short and relatively severe) or chronic (persisting over a long time). …  More...

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Flu Shot Alert

Can I get the flu from a flu shot? Read the answers to this and other questions about the flu. It’s flu season once again. Amidst the reminders and recommendations to get a flu shot, many people remain unsure about side effects, the availability of a nasal vaccine, and whether or not a flu vaccine is needed every year. Here are answers to some common flu questions. …  More...

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Asthma and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) -- What's The Connection?

Although the connection between GERD and asthma is not well understood, doctors have found that treating your GERD symptoms often relieves your asthma symptoms as well. Up to 70% of people with asthma have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), compared with 20–30% of the general population. These statistics suggest that if you have severe, chronic asthma, which does not respond well to treatment, you are particularly susceptible to GERD. …  More...

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Recent Findings on Dangers of Sleep Apnea

Men with Severe Sleep Apnea Have Higher Risk of Heart Problems Men with untreated severe obstructive sleep apnea have a higher incidence of fatal and nonfatal heart problems compared to other men. But, according to a study in the journal Lancet, the risk of heart problems is reduced when sleep apnea is treated with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), the common therapy for the condition. The study included 264 healthy men,…  More...

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There's No Such Thing as a "Safe" Cigarette: Debunking Smoking Myths

Does switching to light cigarettes offer any protection? Cutting back on how much you smoke? Here’s the latest research. While smoking tobacco damages the body in various ways—for example, it increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, bladder cancer, and even erectile dysfunction—the most direct effects -of smoking are on the lungs. Smoking increases the risk of nearly every lung disorder and causes most cases of lung cancer, which kills more than 150,000 Americans each year.…  More...

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People With Emphysema May Benefit From Surgery

For people with moderately severe emphysema, lung volume reduction surgery is considered the only surgical alternative to lung transplantation.  More...

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Pneumonia -- Symptoms and Treatment Vary Depending on the Cause

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Living With COPD -- Breathing Training Brings Benefits

Breath training helps to control breathing rate, decrease the amount of energy required for breathing, and improve the position and function of the respiratory muscles for people suffering from COPD.  More...

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What To Do When A Cough Turns Chronic

Any cough that lasts more than two months is defined as chronic and requires medical attention.  More...

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Lung Disorders

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Johns Hopkins Lung Disorders White Paper 2010

  • 2010 Lung Disorders White Paper
    This comprehensive report provides the latest research on the prevention and treatment of the most common lung diseases, including: asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), sleep apnea, interstitial lung disease, lung cancer, bronchitis, and pneumonia. 88 pages.
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  • The Johns Hopkins Medical Letter: Health After 50
    When you're over 50, it's more important than ever to have access to reliable health information. You won't find a more authoritative source than The Johns Hopkins Medical Letter: Health After 50. Since 1988, we've been publishing accurate, timely advice from our specialists on the disorders that most commonly affect the over 50s population. If you're approaching this milestone in your llife, don't miss this opportunity to take charge of your health. Read more, request a trial issue, or order now and get two FREE Special Reports...


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    Johns Hopkins Medical Guide to Health after 50

  • The Johns Hopkins Medical Guide to Health After 50
    A comprehensive home medical encyclopedia that gives you a “crash course” on more than 100 major medical concerns of men and women over 50! Organized in an easy-to-use A to Z format, the Medical Guide provides in-depth explanations of the many chronic health problems associated with aging – high blood pressure, stroke, high cholesterol, coronary heart disease, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, osteoarthritis, dementia, memory loss, prostate cancer, breast cancer, and gallstones, to name but a few.Read more or order...

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