Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common sleep disorder characterized by breathing that repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. Although there are 3 distinct types of sleep apnea, OSA is the most common. This type of sleep apnea occurs when the muscles in the back of your throat relax causing a partial or complete obstruction […]
View ArticleA lung biopsy is a medical procedure performed to remove a sample of tissue from the lungs to determine the presence of lung disease or lung cancer. The procedure is done using an open or closed method. Closed biopsies are performed through the skin or trachea (windpipe) while open biopsies are done in the operating […]
View ArticleSimilar to the heart-lung bypass machine used in open heart surgery, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is an advanced life-support device that pumps and oxygenates a patient’s blood outside the body, permitting the heart and lungs to rest. When connected to the ECMO machine, your blood flows through tubing to an artificial lung inside the machine […]
View ArticleOxygenation can be defined as the addition of oxygen to any chemical or physical system, including the human body. It’s a word also used to describe interventions that provide a greater oxygen supply to the lungs and circulatory system. Adequate oxygenation is essential for maintaining optimal health and vitality. When illness occurs and oxygen status […]
View ArticleOxygen – the breath of life. Without it, life as we know it would cease to exist. But what does it mean to be oxygen deprived? And what are the warning signs associated with oxygen deprivation? Let’s explore this further. Hypoxemia and Hypoxia: Two Conditions Caused by Oxygen Deprivation When your body is oxygen deprived, […]
View ArticleOne of the benefits of having a spirometry test is that it can detect abnormalities in lung function even if signs and symptoms are not yet present. Not only will a spirometry test help your doctor diagnose COPD and other lung diseases in their earliest stages, it can also help your doctor determine how much […]
View ArticleForced vital capacity, or FVC, is one of the measurements taken during a spirometry test, a type of pulmonary (lung) function test that helps doctors determine the presence and severity of lung disease. FVC reflects the amount of air you can forcibly exhale, after taking the deepest breath possible. Once your FVC is determined, your […]
View ArticleCystic fibrosis (CF) is a life-threatening disease that causes a build-up of thick, sticky mucus to form in your lungs and digestive tract. People with cystic fibrosis require up to 2 times the amount of calories as others of similar weight and size. What foods are best for a CF diet? Let’s forge ahead and […]
View ArticleHypopnea can be defined as abnormally slow or shallow breathing. It is distinct from apnea, in which there is a total cessation of breathing. While apnea occurs when airflow from your lungs is completely blocked by an obstruction from your throat, hypopnea occurs when the airway is only partially blocked and airflow from your lungs […]
View ArticleWe’ve all heard it. The incessant hacking of a smoker’s cough. While not all smokers develop this symptom, a study conducted on military personnel ages 18-21 found that 41% of daily smokers and 27% of occasional smokers reported a high frequency of chronic cough and mucus production.[1] But what causes this cough? And how do […]
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