News

A single alteration in the sequence of the CHRNA5 gene that leads to inflammation, tissue remodeling, and abnormal repair of airway cells was found, in a recent study, to be a risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Notably, this gene variant is involved in nicotine-responding/dependent pathways, but was…

An anti-inflammatory compound used in China to help treat liver disease — known as magnesium isoglycyrrhizinate (MgIG) — eased the symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by reducing inflammation in the lungs, a study in a rat disease model reported. “These findings suggest MgIG might be an alternative for…

Breathing exercises via a mobile app help improve respiratory muscle strength and mobility in the diaphragm in patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a study says. The study, “Respiratory muscle training program supplemented by a cell-phone application in COPD patients with severe airflow limitation,” was published…

In people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the ability of the heart both to beat faster during physical exercise and to slow down after a workout is impaired, a new study suggests. The results indicate that such heart dysfunction is less severe in patients who engage more regularly…

The Catherine Yardley Comprehensive Pulmonary Center has officially opened in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to provide high-quality, cutting-edge care to individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other lung conditions. The establishment of the center, part of Holy Cross Health, was made possible by a $2 million donation…

A British Lung Foundation (BLF) report based on a landmark survey found that more than three-quarters of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients in the U.K. are not receiving basic care. The BLF also made a series of recommendations to U.K. governments and healthcare providers to help…

A new wearable device can remotely assess lung function in patients and, if federally approved, may help with the early diagnosis and management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, and COVID-19. The wearable device, called Sylvee, is worn on the lower part of the rib cage and monitors…

Cipla has launched Spirofy — its wireless, portable device capable of performing lung function tests outdoors and in remote areas — in India, with the hope of better diagnosing people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. The device is the first of its kind in the country,…

A hand-held fan blowing air on the face eased breathlessness in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) during short periods of low-intensity walking exercise, a small study reports. “Our positive preliminary findings suggest that fan therapy merits further investigation in larger and more methodologically rigorous studies,” the researchers…

Low-cost screening involving a questionnaire and a breathing test may help identify patients with undiagnosed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a study conducted in China has found. Among the combinations tested, the Chinese symptom-based questionnaire (C-SBQ) combined with microspirometry — a test that measures how much air a patient…