Mayo Clinic Q&A: Patients with Advanced Emphysema may Benefit from Lung Volume Reduction
DEAR MAYO CLINIC: How do doctors determine who is a good candidate for minimally invasive lung volume reduction to treat emphysema? Is it possible to have it done if I have only mild emphysema to slow the disease’s progression? ANSWER: The procedure you mention is intended for people who have advanced emphysema that no longer […]
Ask the Harvard Experts: Prevent COPD flare-ups to improve quality of life
Q: My father’s doctor recently diagnosed him with a COPD exacerbation. What is this? How can it be prevented from happening again? A: Smokers and ex-smokers worry most about lung cancer. But another smoking-related disease causes more disability, more days in the hospital and almost as many deaths as lung cancer. The disease is COPD, […]
Lung disease in smokers who don’t have COPD
By Wynne Armand, M.D. Harvard Health Blog Smoking cigarettes damages your health in a number of ways. The top three smoking-related causes of death are cardiovascular disease, lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In addition to these “top three,” smoking is also linked to a number of other cancers, getting more colds and […]
Minimal risk of bone loss with inhaled corticosteroids
By Howard LeWine, M.D. Q: I was recently diagnosed with COPD. I am a 55-year-old woman. Should I be concerned about taking Advair because of its effect on bone mineral density? A: Advair is an inhaled medication that combines salmeterol and fluticasone. It’s prescribed to control asthma symptoms and help relieve coughing and shortness of […]
