If you are using supplemental oxygen, it is important to understand what your oxygen levels should be and when your oxygen levels are not safe. Many people with COPD have oxygen levels that are below normal, even when using supplemental oxygen, so your normal oxygen saturation levels might be different from the norm. So, what […]
View ArticleA lung X-ray, also known as a chest X-ray, is a very common radiology test that uses a small amount of radiation to produce an image of the internal structures within the chest, including the heart, lungs, blood vessels and bones.[1] How X-rays Work Once aimed at the body part being studied, X-rays work by […]
View ArticleAn arterial blood gas (ABG) study is a blood test that measures the acidity, or pH of your blood, as well as your oxygen (O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) levels. The test is used to evaluate the function of your lungs and how well they’re able to move oxygen into your blood while removing carbon […]
View ArticleCryptogenic organizing pneumonia (COP), previously known as bronchiolitis obliterans with organizing pneumonia (BOOP), is a rare lung condition in which inflammation and scarring obstruct the bronchioles (smallest airways), the walls of the bronchioles and the tiny, grape-like alveoli (air sacs) deep within the lungs.[1] COP is a form of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia in which the […]
View ArticleEvery year, more people die of lung cancer than of colon, breast and prostate cancers combined, making lung cancer the leading cause of cancer death among men and women alike. [1] Despite the grave nature of this disease, many people who receive treatment in the earliest stages of lung cancer are cured. Catching lung cancer […]
View ArticleLAM disease, or lymphangioleiomyomatosis, is a rare, progressive lung disease that usually affects women of childbearing age. The disease is characterized by an abnormal growth of smooth muscle cells, particularly in the lungs, kidneys and lymphatic system (the network of vessels through which lymph [fluid made of white blood cells] drains from the tissues into […]
View ArticleEmphysema is among a group of lung diseases known as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Primarily caused by smoking, the disease damages the alveoli (air sacs), the site in the lungs where gas exchange between oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place. To date, there is no cure for emphysema, but treatment of emphysema can help […]
View ArticleA rare form of a broader disorder known as pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) refers to having high blood pressure in the arteries that stretch from your heart to your lungs. In PAH, scar tissue develops in the tiny blood vessels of the lung. This scar tissue narrows the vessels, blocking normal blood flow […]
View ArticleWhen you reach Stage IV, or end-stage COPD, lung damage is usually extensive, COPD symptoms are more severe and quality of life is often gravely impaired. Although the lung damage caused by the disease cannot be reversed, treatment can help manage symptoms and in some cases, extend life. Let’s find out more about end-stage COPD […]
View ArticleTo understand what an Alpha-1 Antitrypsin (AAT) test is, you should first familiarize yourself with AAT and what having a deficiency in AAT means to you and your family. What is AAT and AAT Deficiency? AAT is a protective protein made by the liver. You need AAT to help protect your lungs and maintain normal […]
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