What is the Difference Between Healthspan and Lifespan? And Why is Good Lung Health Important for Each?
Lifespan is a term familiar to many, as it indicates the total number of years a person lives. The average lifespan was 76.60 years for Americans in 2021, 72.81 years for the world. A term perhaps less familiar is healthspan, or the total number of years a person remains healthy, active, and breathing well – that is to say, free from disease. The average healthspan is an estimated ten years less
What is OSA – Sleep Apnea – and How Do I Treat It?
OSA, or obstructive sleep apnea, is the intermittent blockage of airflow during sleep. It is caused by the relaxation of muscles which support the throat’s soft tissue (i.e. the tongue or soft palate), causing the upper airway to close or narrow and thus momentarily cutting off breathing. OSA is the most common sleep-related breathing disorder, with more than 3 million cases in the U.S. each year. It can be present in
I Want to Stop Smoking: What Resources Are Available to Me, How Do I Do It, Are There Any Medications?
If you’re looking to quit smoking, there are many resources available to help you, and the desire to quit is a huge step in the right direction. Telephone helplines are offered by the American Cancer Society at 866-QUIT-4-LIFE (866-784-8454) around the clock 24/7 and the American Lung Association at 800-LUNGUSA (800-586-4872). The American Lung Association also offers a “Freedom From Smoking” support program, which can be accessed online. Ask your healthcare provider
I Have A “Spot On My Lungs.” What Does That Mean?
A spot on the lungs – or a “pulmonary nodule” – is a small mass of tissue that appears on an X-ray or CT scan of the lungs. Pulmonary nodules are never a cause for panic, as they are usually benign or non-cancerous. Typically, if you have a pulmonary nodule, you will undergo further medical evaluation to confirm what the mass represents. Pulmonary nodules are found on up to half of
Inhalers: What Are They, How Do I Use Them, Why Do I Need One?
Inhalers – also known as bronchodilators – are medications breathed through the mouth and into the lungs in order to help clear airways. For example, an asthma attack swells and narrows the airways, making it difficult to breathe and triggering symptoms like coughing and wheezing. An inhaler relaxes these tightened muscles surrounding the airway. Air then moves in and out with greater ease, and the person is able to breathe
I Need a Bronchoscopy with EBUS – What’s That?
An EBUS (or EndoBronchial UltraSound) bronchoscopy is a minimally invasive but highly effective outpatient procedure designed to help diagnose lung disorders, such as inflammation, infections, or cancer. Pulmonologists perform the procedure by using a bronchoscope, a flexible tube which goes through the patient’s mouth and into their windpipes and lungs. Attached to the tube is the EBUS scope video camera with ultrasound probes. This captures local images of lungs and lymph
Common Respiratory Issues in Older Adults FAQ
1A. Is asthma treated in older adults the same way it’s treated in children and young adults? Asthma can occur at any age. Older adults experience asthma, but are more likely to be underdiagnosed and undertreated. The CDC estimates that over 2 million persons 65 years old or greater have asthma, which is expected to rise to greater than 5 million by 2030. Asthma in the elderly is complicated by the fact
New Asthma Treatments: What Are Biologics?
Biologics are genetically-engineered medications made from the cells of living organisms and modified to target antibodies, inflammatory molecules, or cell receptors naturally occurring in humans. They target these molecules in order to suppress the inflammation which may trigger allergic diseases, such as asthma. A unique facet of biologics is their ability to target one specific molecule associated with the disease. This makes biologics a very precise therapy. If your asthma symptoms
Do I Need An Annual COVID-19 Vaccine?
Click here to download a video greeting from Dr. Mike! COVID-19 stands poised to persist as a chronic presence in the coming years. Another uptick of mild cases in late May affirmed that the disease is still a part of our lives. Newer therapeutics offer the ability to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 to avoid hospitalization and death among the unvaccinated. If an annual vaccine is the recommendation handed down by
Recommendations for Reopening Schools During the COVID-19 Pandemic
One of the top questions on everyone’s mind regarding moving toward a “new normal” in our community is how to safely open schools again. With COVID-19 cases continuing to climb in the United States and parents feeling the financial burden of keeping their children at home, everyone is wondering what the best plan of action is for reopening schools in the next few weeks. On a local level, the Hamilton