Archive for the 'COPD' Category
Improvement in symptoms with acupuncture treatment of COPD
Monday, June 4th, 2012Treating COPD with vitamin D
Wednesday, January 18th, 2012Low vitamin D levels are associated with reduced lung function (FEV1), impaired immunologic control, and increased airway inflammation.
Many patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have vitamin D deficiency. So, researchers at the University Hospitals Leuven, in Belgium, studied whether supplementation with high doses of vitamin D could reduce the incidence of COPD exacerbations. (more…)
Limits of CAM: Dyspnea in patients with COPD
Tuesday, October 25th, 2011Dyspnea (difficulty breathing) is a cardinal symptom of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Its severity and magnitude increase as the disease progresses, leading to significant disability and a negative effect on quality of life.
Here are the Canadian Thoracic Society clinical practice guidelines, with emphasis on CAM. (more…)
Lack of effect of an Echinacea cocktail on exacerbations of COPD
Saturday, May 21st, 2011Effects of retirement on chronic disease
Monday, January 24th, 2011Association between soy and COPD
Tuesday, October 19th, 2010Researchers from Japan and Australia investigated the relationship between soy consumption and the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and respiratory symptoms. (more…)
Adverse effects of non-medical cannabis
Sunday, October 17th, 2010Benefits of pulmonary rehabilitation on COPD
Wednesday, September 22nd, 2010Reviewing pomegranate research
Sunday, July 11th, 2010 The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) told POM Wonderful that their UK billboard showing a bottle of pomegranate juice and a hangman’s noose, and proclaims the juice can “cheat death” must be taken down.
ASA says “We considered the evidence… but concluded that it fell short of showing any direct relation between consuming the product and a longer life.”
So, what’s the evidence? (more…)
Growing evidence supports garlic to treat hepatopulmonary syndrome
Wednesday, May 5th, 2010It occurs in up to 20% of patients with cirrhosis of the liver and should be considered in anyone who develops difficulty breathing or shortness of breath.
In 1992, researchers from the University of Florida published a report of a patient with hepatopulmonary syndrome who failed drug therapy, refused surgery, but improved while taking garlic supplements.
Here’s the latest study from the Medical College Calcutta, in India. (more…)
Effects of marijuana on lung function
Thursday, March 4th, 2010Heart effects of alternate nostril breathing
Thursday, May 14th, 2009CAM options to treat pain at the end of life
Wednesday, May 13th, 2009 Of the many symptoms experienced by those at the end of life, pain is one of the most common, feared, and often undertreated,
Dr. Perry Fine from the University of Utah in Salt Lake City reviews the treatment options, including CAM. Here’s a summary. (more…)
Marijuana and the risk of COPD
Thursday, April 16th, 2009Non-pharmacological treatments for breathlessness
Monday, March 16th, 2009Breathing training for asthma patients
Sunday, December 14th, 2008Music helps breathing in people with COPD
Saturday, November 15th, 2008 Get out your MP3 player if you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
As the researchers from the University of Hamburg state in their ivory tower way, “Auditory distraction might… serve as an intervention for the reduction of dyspnea [difficulty breathing] during exercise in this patient group.” (more…)
Hypnotherapy for smoking cessation
Tuesday, November 11th, 2008 After 6 months, twice as many smokers who chose hypnotherapy remained smoke free compared to those going “cold turkey,” according to this report at last year’s meeting of the American College of Chest Physicians. (more…)
Christopher Columbus and the CAM connection
Monday, October 13th, 2008 The connection, of course, is bromelain, which comes from pineapples. (more…)