Emphasis in this study by researchers in Spain was on walking, the most common form of physical activity. (more…)

Last year, the Canadian Thoracic Society clinical practice guidelines, advised there was insufficient evidence to support the routine use of acupuncture to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Since then, 2 more studies have been published. (more…)

Low 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…)

Dyspnea (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…)

Upper respiratory tract infections frequently exacerbate chronic-obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Researchers in Indonesia and Switzerland evaluated the effect of Echinacea purpurea + micronutrients in order to reduce the severity of these infections. (more…)

An international group of researchers looked for changes in the risk of chronic diseases, depressive symptoms, and fatigue. (more…)

Researchers from Japan and Australia investigated the relationship between soy consumption and the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and respiratory symptoms. (more…)

For over 2 decades, cannabis (marijuana) has been the most widely used illicit drug by young people in high-income countries, and has become popular on a global scale.

Researchers from the University of Queensland, in Herston, Australia reviewed the adverse effects. (more…)

It improves quality of life even in patients with less-advanced cases of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Researchers from Maastricht University Medical Center, in the Netherlands reported their results during the annual meeting of the American Thoracic Society. (more…)

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…)

It 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…)

Some changes were reported in this study by researches at the University of Otago, in Dunedin, New Zealand.

But what does it mean for you and me? (more…)

Researchers at Nepal Medical College in Kathmandu measured the physiological effects of Nadi Sodhana (alternate nostril breathing). (more…)

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…)

Researchers from Canada and the US studied the effects of marijuana and tobacco on the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). (more…)

 Here are the results of a Cochrane review of non-drug options in advanced stages of malignant and non-malignant diseases. (more…)

 Researchers at the University of Aberdeen in the UK report that it has benefits, but doesn’t change the underlying disease. (more…)

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…)

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…)

The connection, of course, is bromelain, which comes from pineapples. (more…)