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CPAP Helps Asthma Patients

Nebulizer for Asthma PatientsUsing CPAP has many benefits, some of which we've documented right here on the blog already: no more snoring; getting a good night's sleep; lowering the risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, heart attack, and stroke; and an overall improvement in one's quality of life.

But new benefits are always surfacing due to studies being conducted and released. In December we told you that using CPAP may reduce one's sensitivity to pain.

Another study was just released last month showing that CPAP therapy may actually help asthma patients. Asthma is characterized by airway hyperreactivity and is treated primarily with bronchodilators and anti-inflammatory agents.

In the study, adults with stable asthma were given CPAP to use for 7 nights. A control group was also used. The study revealed that those who had used CPAP therapy had a significant decrease in airway reactivity. [Meaning, their sensitivity to stimuli and response to sensitive stimuli decreased.]

Further studies will indicate whether or not using CPAP may decrease asthma symptoms and help lessen the need for asthma medication. Click here to read the full study.

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Cats & Your Respiratory Health

Cats and Respiratory HealthyCats are one of Americans' favorite pets! They are well-suited for apartment dwellers or those with limited access to the outdoors. Cats don’t necessarily have to go outside to use the bathroom either; most indoor cats use a litter box.

It can be easy to identify the ammonia smell from cat urine- even when you've been careful to keep the litter box clean. While the amount of ammonia in an average litter box poses no health hazard, allowing litter boxes to go uncleaned may threaten cat owners' well being. The elderly, children, and people with a compromised respiratory system due to diseases such as COPD or asthma are especially susceptible.

When urine accumulates in the litter box (or anywhere in the house), ammonia fumes will build up. Ammonia is a toxic gas and inhalation of its fumes can lead to a number of respiratory issues. The fumes irritate the lining of the respiratory system which can lead to coughing, increased sputum, and difficulty breathing. People who are exposed for short periods usually experience minor symptoms such as mild headaches, lightheadedness, and nausea. Exposure for longer periods can cause more severe symptoms such as respiratory distress, bronchitis, or pneumonia. Over an extended period of time, individuals may experience an increase in respiratory infections and even damage their lung tissue.

So remember- always keep your cat’s litter box clean! For extra protection you may want to use gloves to protect your skin, goggles to protect your eyes, and a mask to avoid inhalation when cleaning the litter box.
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Source: Make Sure Your Furry Friends Don't Make You Sick! January 2013. The Pulmonary Press.

Looking for Clean Air?

Are you on the lookout for clean air?

If you're like most Americans, the air you breathe probably isn't something you give much thought to.

The American Lung Association released some interesting statistics based on their 2012 State of the Air report:
- Almost half of all Americans (41%) live in counties that have unhealthy levels of ozone or particle pollution
- Over 6 million people live in areas with unhealthy levels of year-round particle pollution
- One in six people live in areas with unhealthy levels of short-term particle pollution

What does this mean to you? Well, if you live in one of the affected areas, you may have experienced times when it was difficult to breathe. And if you suffer from asthma or COPD, breathing can be difficult enough without added pollutants.

Is there anything that can be done to help improve these statistics?

The American Lung Association recommends:
- Driving less: take advantage of public transportation, bike, or walk places since vehicle emissions account for a large part of air pollution
- Use less electricity: use energy efficient appliances and turn lights off when leaving the room since generating electricity is one of the biggest sources of air pollution
- Don't burn wood/trash: dispose of waste properly since burning releases many particles into the air; if you want to have a fire, use natural gas which has far fewer pollutants
- Send a message to local representatives: let your Congressmen, Assemblymen, Senators, Governors, and Mayors know that you support the Clean Air Act and want healthier, cleaner air to breathe

You can download the 2012 State of the Air report here to read their full findings.
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