News

People with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are being asked to participate in a U.K. clinical study evaluating how well bisoprolol, a common beta-blocker to treat high blood pressure, works in preventing pulmonary flares. Known as the BICS trial (2017-002779-24), the study is being supported by the U.K. National Institute for…

Note: This is the first part of a three-part series written in collaboration with respiratory therapist Mark W. Mangus Sr., RRT, RPFT, FAARC, and oxygen expert Ryan Diesem. One of the more hotly debated topics in the treatment of respiratory disease is supplemental oxygen use. Participants in the debate often…

A relatively new non-invasive imaging technique, called parametric response mapping (PRM), can identify damage in the smallest airways, opening the possibility of detecting specific lung changes earlier (when it is most treatable) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and allowing doctors to more accurately measure the response…

A new tool identifying broad areas of need by patients receiving palliative or end-of-life care may improve personalized care for patients with advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and promote more holistic care. The study detailing the development of SNAP, as the tool is called, was published in the…

In my last column, I shared tips and insights into nutrition interventions for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). As important as nutrition is to healing, lifestyle habits also play a critical role in the treatment of the disease. Introducing certain changes into your routine can make a big…

Activation of PP2A enzyme with consequent modulation of cathepsin S levels may represent a new strategy to prevent chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a mice study shows. This finding was reported by a team led by researchers from Queen’s University Belfast in a study published in the…

“The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.” — Aristotle In today’s healthcare environment, an overwhelming percentage of resources are spent on treating diseases and their associated manifestations. While treatment of disease is an essential part of wellness, there is far more to being healthy than simply not being…

Treatment with a dry powder inhaler (DPI) formulation of ensifentrine led to clinically meaningful and sustained improvement in lung function in people with moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to early data from a Phase 2 trial. Ensifentrine (RPL554) is an inhibitor of the phosphodiesterase…

Differences in DNA may explain lung health and the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in both smokers and non-smokers and could help in the future development of preventive and therapeutic strategies against COPD, a large-scale study reports. The study, “New genetic signals for lung function highlight pathways and…

Hoping to increase awareness of an often-debilitating and misdiagnosed lung condition called nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) lung disease, the COPD Foundation is hosting a Facebook discussion on Feb. 28  in recognition of Rare Disease Day. The 1 p.m. EST event is titled “Constant Cough, Fatigue & Shortness of…