Feb 16
2007

Asthma, a disease of the human respiratory system, which narrows the airways, commonly in response to a “trigger” such as an exposure to an allergen, exercise, cold air, or emotional stress. This narrowing can cause symptoms like shortness of breath, wheezing, chest tightness, and coughing. Between asthmatic episodes, most people with the condition feel fine. This disease is a chronic inflammatory condition wherin the airways develop an increased responsiveness to certain stimuli, shown by bronchial hyper-responsiveness, increased mucus production, inflammation, and intermittent airway obstruction. asthma can be anywhere from mild to life threatening, but can generally be controlled with a combination of drugs, inhalers and changes in lifestyle. People have focused on asthma recently because of its rapidly increasing number of patients, affecting up to one in four urban children. Genetic factors can contribute to cases of asthma, but there is no clear pattern of inheritance found. It is a very complex disease which is influenced by many various developmental, genetic, and environmental factors, which work togetherto create the widespread condition.

Breast-fed babies have proved to be less susceptible to asthma. Current research indicates that the prevalence of asthma in children has been increasing. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Health Interview Surveys, around 9.2% of US children under 18 years old had asthma in 2001, in comparison with just 4% in 1980. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that 8% of the population of Switzerland suffer from asthma today, compared to 1.9% in 1983. Asthma is more common in countries outside North America, but is by no means a problem restricted to location. “WHO” estimates that there are between 15.3 and 20.1 million asthmatics in India. In the U.S., urban residents, African Americans and Hispanics are affected moreso than the population as a whole.

Around the globe, asthma is the cause of approximately 175,000 deaths per year. Asthma and AthleticsAsthma appear to be more common in athletes than in the general population. One particular survey of participants in the 1996 Summer Olympic Games revealed that 16% had asthma, and 10% were on medication for asthma. There seems to be a high number of asthmatics in sports like mountain biking, cycling, and long-distance running, and a somewhat low percentage in weightlifting. It is not clear how much of these cases are results of the effects of training in the sport.

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Tyler Brooker is the owner and operator of Asthma Area, which is the best site on the internet for all asthma related information.

Written By: Tyler Brooker

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Dec 24
2006

Ozone air purifiers or “ozone generators” are known for their effectiveness at reducing and masking the smells of new carpet and acrolein, a chemical partly responsible for the noxious odor of second-hand tobacco smoke. There are two types of ozone generators. Direct ozone generators work by intentionally producing ozone that goes out to cancel out some chemicals in the air of your home. For bars, fire restoration jobs, and other major odor issues, nothing beats a direct ozone generator. When possible, vacate the premises, including pets, plants, art, and important items that are made of rubber. Seal the building and run the generator for a few days. Thoroughly ventilate the interior before reentering.

Indirect ozone generators are part and parcel with ionic air purification systems. Ionic air purifiers produce and send out negatively charged ions into the air, causing chemicals and particles to drop to the floor and surfaces. You clean off the surfaces as part of your regular chores. Ozone is one byproduct of this process.

Ozone, which is composed of three oxygen molecules, changes the air by interacting with certain chemicals, transforming them into carbon dioxide, oxygen, water, a variety of aldehydes, and formic acid. In high enough amounts, ozone is bad for your health. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, ozone can decrease lung function, aggravate asthma, irritate your throat, make you cough, give you chest pain, cause shortness of breath, inflame the lung tissue, and increase your susceptibility to respiratory infection. That’s why human health advocacy organizations worldwide have recommended a maximum outdoor ozone exposure of 50 to 80 ppb (parts per billion.)

As a result, many manufacturers of ozone air purifiers have voluntarily limited their indoor units to outputs of 50 ppb. Note that the further you are away from the unit, the less concentrated the ozone is. So place the unit at least two to ten feet away from you.

For regular use, look for an indirect ozone generator with a low tested emission rate. Consumer Reports recommends the Friedrich C-90A. The fan is a little noisy, but the Friedrich C-90A scores high marks for low ozone emission rates and effectiveness at reducing smoke, dust, and pollen.

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Air Purifiers Info provides detailed information on home, ionic, ozone, and HEPA air purifiers, as well as reviews of the best air purifiers on the market today. Air Purifiers Info is the sister site of Air Filters Web.

Written By: Marcus Peterson

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Dec 18
2006

Cold & Flu Colds make the upper respiratory system less resistant to bacterial infection. Secondary bacterial infection may lead to middle ear infection, bronchitis, pneumonia, sinus infection, or strep throat. People with chronic lung disease, asthma, diabetes, or a weakened immune system are more likely to develop these complications. The symptoms of a cold and an allergy are similar and can be confused. Ordinarily, the common cold will cause red, inflamed nasal membranes, with thick, yellow nasal secretions. If there’s a cough, it will be loose and eventually productive. With an allergy, the nasal membranes will be pale and boggy with thin, watery, colorless secretions. If there’s a cough with an allergy, it will be dry and unproductive. There will not be any fever with an allergy, but with a cold there may, of course, be fever. Children who are allergic sometimes exhibit a distinctive appearance. They frequently have dark, puffy half-moons under their eyes and may also have the “allergic salute” from wiping the nose diagonally across the face. Colds may also be passed through direct contact. If a person with a cold touches his runny nose or watery eyes, then shakes hands with another person some of the virus is transferred to the uninfected person. If that person then touches his mouth, nose, or eyes, the virus is transferred to an environment where it can reproduce and cause a cold. There are no medicines hat will cure the common cold. Given time, the body’s immune system will make antibodies to fight the infection, and the cold will be resolved without any intervention. Antibiotics are useless against a cold. However, a great deal of money is spent by pharmaceutical companies in the United States promoting products designed to relieve cold symptoms. These products usually contain antihistamines, decongestants, and/or pain relievers. Herbs won’t replace pharmaceuticals, but the research shows that–for many conditions–herbs work well, are cheaper than drugs and cause fewer side effects, Herbs aren’t quite mainstream, but they’re moving in that direction. Patients are interested in them, and doctors are increasingly familiar with herb research. research has shown that the active ingredients in some natural remedies may actually boost the immune system, which may help stave off future infections. These ingredients can be found in medicinal teas, sprays, syrups, extracts, tablets and supplements.

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HerbMark.Com – Alternative Health products, Vitamins, Supplements, Herbs and Beauty products on discount prices. We also offers free Shipping. http://www.herbmark.com/store.asp?filename=seasonal

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Nov 15
2006

In approximately 25% of people with lung cancer, there are no symptoms and the cancer is detected during screening or a routine physical examination. However, in three-quarters of lung cancer patients there are warning symptoms and signs that can alert the patient or their physician.

Most commonly, lung cancer patients experience respiratory symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing, hoarseness and a persistent cough. These symptoms are very common among smokers, and are also present in a number of other conditions such as asthma, emphysema and chest infections. A new cough should always be evaluated, as it may be a symptom of lung cancer. Lung cancer may spread to the chest wall, causing chest, shoulder and back pain. If cancer cells erode lung blood vessels, the patient may cough up blood. There may also be other generalized effects that occur with most cancers, such as fever, fatigue, appetite loss and weight loss.

As a lung cancer grows, it increasingly compromises the normal functioning of an affected lung. Secondary complications may occur, such as collection of fluid in the tissue lining the lungs (pleural effusion), lung collapse, airway obstruction, and repeated lung infections. Lung cancer may also spread or metastasize to other parts of the body such as the lymph nodes, bones, liver and brain. Bone pain and abnormal liver or brain function may result.

The absence of symptoms does not necessarily indicate early disease, and the presence of non-specific chest symptoms can often go unheeded. Both these factors contribute to the fact that only about 15 percent of lung cancer patients are diagnosed in the early stages of disease. The later lung cancer is diagnosed, the less effective treatment options are. Delays in diagnosing lung cancer patients result in an overall survival rate of only 15 percent at five years after diagnosis.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Asbestos Lung Cancer provides detailed information on Asbestos Lung Cancer, Lung Cancer, Lung Cancer Stages, Lung Cancer Survival Rate and more. Asbestos Lung Cancer is affiliated with Asbestos Exposure.

Written By: Steve Valentino

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Nov 12
2006

Identifying the triggers can help Asthma sufferers

Asthma affects millions of Americans each yea and is extremely prevalent in children, affecting more than 5 million. Asthma is caused by the smaller airways in the lungs being blocked causing the person to cough and to have shortness of breath. Many people may not be able to breath for an extended period of time requiring an emergency response.

Symptoms of chronic asthma sufferers are coughing, especially once the person is exposed to cold, shortness of breath and wheezing or a whistling sound when breathing. However it is important to note that not everyone that suffers from asthma wheezes and vice versa.

There are many different triggers that can cause asthma. Persons with asthma in their family tree are more likely than others to develop asthma as children. Many environmental factors can trigger asthma, including living in an urban environment with increased levels of pollution. Many studies show that pollution is a major trigger of asthma sufferers. Allergies have also been shown to trigger asthma. Allergies such as mold, mites and pollen have uncomfortable affects on asthma sufferers. Virus’s such as parainfluenza virus and respiratory syncytial virus are also leading triggers of asthma.

Reducing the above triggers can be extremely useful in reducing asthma. Paying close attention to the environment that you live in, such as staying away from areas with high levels of pollution. Effectively cleaning your home to remove mold and mites can also lessen the intensity of asthma as well as purchasing a good filtration system if you live in an area with a high pollen count.

If you think that you or a loved one may be suffering from asthma it is best to consult with a physician.

About the author:

Jay is the web owner of Weight Loss, that provides information on weight loss, diets, and excercise. You can also visit his website at: Diet Pill Information or Health Insurance Information

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Sep 28
2006

Bronchitis is an inflammation of the lining of bronchial tubes, the airways that connect the trachea (windpipe) to the lungs. It is a pulmonary disease and is accompanied by inflammation of the bronchi of the lungs. This infection can be caused by some infection occurring due to micro organisms which is present in the air we breathe or due to cold or flu which can aggravate the bronchial tract and can make it very severe.

Like many other disease it can be chronic as well as acute. If suffering from chronic bronchitis you would be suffering from persistent cough which produces sputum for a continuous three months. The result of an infection caused by the microorganisms leads to the multiplication of the same, causing irritation of your bronchial tract. With such an attack of the bacteria the tubes are swollen and start producing phlegm to fight the irritation in the throat. This is a two-way-sword because by producing phlegm it causes difficulty in breathing and one suffers from wheezing and a bad cough.

Acute bronchitis often begins with a dry and irritating cough which is due to the inflammation of the bronchial tubes. Some of the other symptoms are cough which brings up mucus, headache, continuous feeling of tiredness and fever, cold shivers, shortness of breath, tightness at the chest and constant wheezing are to be considered as some of the signs of having bronchitis.

It usually affects people who are in constant presence of smokers or are chain smokers themselves. The recovery period for cold and flu take much longer time than the other people due to this condition. Having asthma can also trigger some episodes of bronchitis bouts with the shortness of breath, wheezing and other factors. If it gets worse, get it treated by a doctor which is the best thing to do, by which you will get a thorough check up done.

About the author:

Kevin Pederson has been managing a number of natural home remedies websites which have information on providing information on some of the most common diseases as well as on bronchitis.

Written By: Kevin Pederson

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Sep 4
2006

A room humidifier can help raise the level of humidity or moisture in the air. Increasing the humidity in the home helps eliminate the dry air that can irritate and inflame the respiratory passages in the nose and throat. A room humidifier can help relieve the discomfort of colds and the flu, and help people who suffer from asthma.
When humidified air is breathed in, the water vapor adds moisture to secretions in the upper airway. This makes the secretions more fluid so it may be easier to cough them up. A humidifier can work only for the upper airway. Water vapor droplets made by a humidifier do not usually reach the lower airways, which include the trachea, or windpipe, and the lungs.
In the past, a steam humidifier was commonly used. A newer humidifier, also known as a vaporizer, uses special energy waves to break water down into a vapor. This results in smaller droplets than were possible with a steam humidifier. The energy waves also kill any bacteria or mold that may be in the water or the machine.
A special type of humidifier called a nebulizer can be used to deliver medication to the airway. A nebulizer is often used to treat asthma. It generates smaller water vapor droplets that are able to reach the small airways in the lungs. Certain medications, such as albuterol, can be dissolved in water and given with a nebulizer.
The medications are then able to reach the lungs in greater concentration than if taken by mouth. A new approach is to give some antibiotics by nebulizer. This type of humidifier seems to work very well on lower airway infections in children with cystic fibrosis a serious inherited condition that damages the lungs. A room humidifier may be just the help you need.

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Home health care supplies and equipment http://www.nutritional-supplement-4u.com/medical_supplies_home_health_care.htm

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Aug 10
2006

One can achieve the best result from a steam sauna when the temperature is between 43 degrees C and 46 degrees C and there is a relative humidity of 100%. Saunas should have mist or steam. Hence, saunas must have steam generators and control systems to prevent the escape of steam. Steam sauna leads to sweating and rejuvenation.

Taking a sauna is a relaxing experience that leads to sweating, which has many health benefits. Generally, temperatures are more than 80 degrees C in these structures.

Steam saunas increase the supply of oxygen to cells and tissues; increase the number of white blood cells; improve blood circulation, immune system and nutrient supply; release toxins and reduce tension; and kill viruses and bacteria. And, steam saunas burn 400-600 calories in every session, and the moist heat improves blood supply. Steam saunas are also very good for patients suffering from bronchial asthma, bronchitis, cough, catarrh of upper respiratory channels, and joints ailments.

Steam saunas are most popular in Europe, Greek, Rome, Russia and Turkey.

A sauna is a bathroom, house or hut specially constructed so that someone can enjoy a steam bath. The word sauna is derived from Finnish savuna that means in smoke.”

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Saunas Info provides detailed information about infrared, home, Finnish, and steam saunas, as well as sauna kits, heaters, suits, and benefits, plus advice on how to build a sauna. Saunas Info is the sister site of Hot Tubs Web.

Written By: Kevin Stith

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Aug 7
2006

Coughing can be of different kinds and it is basically a provision provided to your body to remove foreign materials. There are two types of coughs one is the productive cough which is a combination of mucus or phelgm produced in your lungs and the other is the non-productive cough which is dry cough as it has no mucus or phelgm.

Cough can be caused by many different reasons. It is caused by smoking and it is one habit which cannot be left that easily. If you want you can get through this too by some rigorous self-treatment. Different kind of allergies also leads to coughing and it can be triggered by dust, smoke and sometimes your favorite pet. Heartburn and asthma are also causes of your cough.

There are different kinds of cough which create problems and they are barking cough, whooping cough, wheezing cough, stridor, sudden cough, nighttime cough, daytime cough, cough along with cold, cough with fever, cough with vomiting, rigorous and persistent cough and can be very annoying.

Even though it is cough which cannot be taken lightly and you have to get yourself checked. The treatment to be used by the doctors is the use of antibiotics. There is also use of antitussives which are drugs and are used to subdue the cough. You can also have various other supplements like vitamins which are very useful. Vitamin C and many other help in preventing the conjunction one has during cough.

About the author:

Kevin Pederson has been managing a number of natural home remedies websites which have information on various home and natural remedies which are very useful for in our day to day life.

Written By: Kevin Pederson

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