According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), air pollution can be dangerous to everyone at very high levels. It can be dangerous for people with lung conditions like asthma or COPD at lower levels. The daily AQI measures air pollution from ozone, particle matter, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, … Read More
Even though COPD cannot be cured, it can be treated. COPD treatment is aimed at reducing symptoms, preventing the disease from getting worse, improving the ability to exercise, preventing and treating complications, and preventing and treating exacerbations. Almost every person with COPD will be prescribed a short-acting bronchodilator (either a … Read More
If you have any of the following environmental risk factors, the good news is that by altering them, you may be able to lower your risk of back pain in the future. Smoking Most people relate smoking to heart and lung problems, but it also puts you at risk for … Read More
We typically think of muscular dystrophy as a singular disease. But, per the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, it's more complex than that: “The muscular dystrophies (MD) are a group of more than 30 genetic diseases characterized by progressive weakness and degeneration of the skeletal muscles that control … Read More
If you’re looking for a bipolar test because you’re dealing with mood swings and worried you have early signs of bipolar disease—also called manic depression or manic-depressive disorder—you’re going to be disappointed. There is no reliable, confirmed diagnostic bipolar test to confirm a diagnosis for the over-the-top shifts in a … Read More
Various dementia types can be caused by medical or psychiatric conditions, among them high fever, vitamin deficiency, head trauma, or depression. These are the so-called "reversible dementias." Other dementia types are irreversible and—if you’re wondering, "Is dementia hereditary?"—can be caused by family genes. Let’s look at reversible dementia first. It’s … Read More
If you've been feeling bone pain, your doctor may take one look at that stiff, swollen joint or that loss of motion and suspect that what you’ve got is the inevitable onset of age-related osteoarthritis (OA) or the autoimmune disorder that leads to rheumatoid arthritis (RA). But to refine that … Read More
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) isn’t simply one disease, but a term used to describe serious lung problems such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Severe, non-reversible asthma can sometimes be considered a form of COPD. Guidelines for treatment of these serious respiratory conditions call for a mix of medications, oxygen … Read More
If you suffer from any number of inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), inflammatory bowel disease, or many others, your doctor may prescribe you a glucocorticoid medication to decrease inflammation and control your symptoms. But prolonged use of these drugs can come with significant risk. Many … Read More
