Tag Archives: lungs

A Healthy Diet Helps Teen Lungs

Common sense says that a healthy diet helps children and teenagers develop into healthy adults. A recent study from the Harvard School of Public Health focused on lung performance and diet in teenagers and found that certain nutritional deficiencies can lead to asthma, coughing, and wheezing. More than two thousand teens from the United States and Canada were surveyed. Many of the teenagers surveyed did not get the USDA recommended amount of fruits and vegetables in their diets. Only eleven percent of teens surveyed took a daily vitamin supplement. The teens with the worst diets — those who didn’t get … Continue reading →

What Is Cystic Fibrosis?

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a progressive disorder that affects many systems throughout your body, namely the respiratory system and the digestive system. This is an inherited disease of the mucus glands. You know what mucus is, right? That slippery stuff that lubricates (and protects) your airways, digestive system, reproductive system, and other organs and tissues. For people with cystic fibrosis, the mucus the body produces is extra thick and sticky. It can obstruct airways, causing serious breathing problems and potential for bacterial infections in the lungs. The infections cause coughing, wheezing, and inflammation; the infections and the mucus buildup can … Continue reading →

What Is COPD?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the leading causes of death in America — and many people don’t know what it is. COPD is an umbrella term that covers emphysema (a loss of elasticity in the air sacs that makes breathing difficult), chronic bronchitis (permanently narrowed airways thanks to repeated inflammation), and even some forms of asthma! More than twelve million Americans have already been diagnosed with COPD — and approximately ninety percent of these cases are a result of smoking. Problems develop after twenty “pack years” — smoking one pack per day for twenty years, or two … Continue reading →

What is a Stress Test?

If your doctor orders a stress test, you may be wondering what you’re headed for. A stress test — also known as a treadmill test or an exercise test — helps your doctor see how your heart handles work. Your body is put to work on the treadmill, so your heart will pump more blood and your body will use more oxygen. Don’t stress about your stress test! You will be hooked up to equipment that will monitor your heart — your heart rate, blood pressure, and electrocardiogram will be monitored. The medical folks will also keep an eye on … Continue reading →