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USA Today
a day ago
- Health
- USA Today
Sly Stone died after prolonged battle with COPD. The condition can be debilitating.
Sly Stone died after prolonged battle with COPD. The condition can be debilitating. Show Caption Hide Caption Health officials warn of highest whooping cough cases in a decade The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is sounding the alarm about a spike in whooping cough cases in the United States. Straight Arrow News Sly Stone, an icon of funk music, has died at the age of 82 following a prolonged battle with COPD, a chronic lung condition that can block airflow and cause difficulty breathing. "It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved dad, Sly Stone of Sly and the Family Stone," a statement shared with USA TODAY on June 9 reads. "After a prolonged battle with COPD and other underlying health issues, Sly passed away peacefully, surrounded by his three children, his closest friend, and his extended family." The statement continued: "While we mourn his absence, we take solace in knowing that his extraordinary musical legacy will continue to resonate and inspire for generations to come." Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, describes an ongoing group of lung conditions that includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. It is the result of damaged lung tissue, which leads to inflammation that irritates the airway and limits airflow. Because such damage usually worsens over time, "COPD mostly affects people who are 50 or older," Dr. Shawn Aaron, senior scientist of the inflammation and chronic disease program at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute in Canada, previously told USA TODAY. Here's what medical experts want you to know about COPD. Funk pioneer Sly Stone, leader of Sly and the Family Stone, dies at 82 What are the symptoms of COPD? Common symptoms of COPD include wheezing, chest tightness, a painful and persistent cough (with and without accompanying mucus) and fatigue. "Another of the most worrisome features of the disease can be periodic flare-ups, called exacerbations, which can greatly diminish your ability to breathe," Dr. Meilan King Han, pulmonary diseases specialist at University of Michigan Health, previously told USA TODAY. Due to the severity of such episodes, "some COPD patients can end up hospitalized," she added. COPD also makes people more vulnerable to respiratory infections, such as pneumonia, COVID-19 and tuberculosis. Related complications are why "COPD is a leading cause of death both in America and worldwide," Dr. David Mannino, chief medical officer at the COPD Foundation in Florida, previously told USA TODAY. At least 15 million adults have some form of COPD, per the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but Mannino said it could be twice that number, because the condition often goes misdiagnosed or undiagnosed. What causes COPD? The damaged lung tissue associated with COPD is most often caused by long-term exposure to irritants, such as fumes, dust, chemicals or smoke. This is why "cigarette smoke is the main cause of COPD in high-income countries like the United States," Mannino said. "However, not everyone who smokes will develop COPD symptoms, and not all people with COPD have a history of smoking." Indeed, some 25% of people with COPD have never smoked a cigarette. COPD can be debilitating. What exactly is it? "Exposure to outdoor pollution or indoor cooking smoke and fumes is a major cause of COPD," said Aaron, especially in developing countries. He added that some people also develop the condition because of poor early lung development related to premature birth. Genetic factors, early-life respiratory infections and a history of asthma "can all also contribute to the development of COPD," Han said. How is COPD treated? Regardless of what's causing the condition, COPD is treatable. "The mainstays of therapy have historically been inhaled bronchodilators and inhaled steroids," according to Han. Such medications can reduce breathlessness, improve stamina and lower one's risk of flare-ups, Mannino said. He added that non-pharmacologic therapies are also helpful in reducing symptoms and risk of flare-ups. "These include participating in pulmonary rehabilitation, using oxygen therapy as prescribed and adhering to vaccination guidelines," he said. And you can't overemphasize the importance of quitting smoking, added Aaron. "By adhering to medication recommendations, avoiding infection and irritating fumes, eating foods that support lung health and strengthening lung tissue by getting plenty of cardiovascular activity," said Mannino, "individuals with COPD can maintain a good quality of life." Contributing: Daryl Austin and Marco della Cava
USA Today
06-03-2025
- Health
- USA Today
COPD can be debilitating. What exactly is it?
COPD can be debilitating. What exactly is it? Show Caption Hide Caption Health officials warn of highest whooping cough cases in a decade The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is sounding the alarm about a spike in whooping cough cases in the United States. Straight Arrow News Few situations are more unsettling than not being able to breathe. Whether from a momentary injury that knocks the wind out of you, swimming underwater for too long or recovering after sprinting at full speed, anyone who has struggled to fill their lungs with oxygen knows how scary the feeling can be. But sometimes people experience breathing troubles that are less acute yet longer lasting. Such issues may be associated with conditions like asthma, sleep apnea and cystic fibrosis. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is another of the most common breathing conditions, but it's also one of the most debilitating. What is COPD? Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, is an ongoing group of lung conditions that include chronic bronchitis and emphysema. COPD is the result of damaged lung tissue, which leads to inflammation that irritates the airway and limits airflow. Because such damage usually worsens over time, "COPD mostly affects people who are 50 or older," says Dr. Shawn Aaron, senior scientist of the inflammation and chronic disease program at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute in Canada. Common symptoms of COPD include wheezing, chest tightness, a painful and persistent cough (with and without accompanying mucus) and fatigue. "Another of the most worrisome features of the disease can be periodic flare-ups - called exacerbations, which can greatly diminish your ability to breathe," explains Dr. Meilan King Han, pulmonary diseases specialist at University of Michigan Health. Due to the severity of such episodes, "some COPD patients can end up hospitalized," she says. People with COPD are also more vulnerable to respiratory infections such as pneumonia, COVID-19 and tuberculosis. Related complications are why "COPD is a leading cause of death both in America and worldwide," says Dr. David Mannino, chief medical officer at the COPD Foundation in Florida. At least 15 million adults have some form of COPD, per the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but Mannino says it could be twice that number because the condition is often misdiagnosed or undiagnosed. What is sleep apnea? The sleep disorder you might have could be why you're sluggish What causes COPD? The damaged lung tissue associated with COPD is most often caused by long-term exposure to irritants such as fumes, dust, chemicals or smoke. This is why "cigarette smoke is the main cause of COPD in high-income countries like the United States," says Mannino. "However, not everyone who smokes will develop COPD symptoms, and not all people with COPD have a history of smoking." Indeed, some 25% of people with COPD have never smoked a cigarette. "Exposure to outdoor pollution or indoor cooking smoke and fumes is a major cause of COPD," says Aaron, especially in developing countries. He adds that some people also develop the condition because of poor early lung development related to premature birth. Genetic factors, early-life respiratory infections and a history of asthma "can all also contribute to the development of COPD," says Han. What to know about asthma: Nearly 1 in 10 Americans have asthma. Here's what causes it. How is COPD treated? Regardless of what's causing the condition, COPD is treatable. "The mainstays of therapy have historically been inhaled bronchodilators and inhaled steroids," says Han. Such medications can reduce breathlessness, improve stamina and lower one's risk of flare-ups, says Mannino. He adds that non-pharmacologic therapies are also helpful in reducing symptoms and risk of flare-ups. "These include participating in pulmonary rehabilitation, using oxygen therapy as prescribed and adhering to vaccination guidelines," he says. And you can't overemphasize the importance of quitting smoking, adds Aaron. "By adhering to medication recommendations, avoiding infection and irritating fumes, eating foods that support lung health and strengthening lung tissue by getting plenty of cardiovascular activity," says Mannino, "individuals with COPD can maintain a good quality of life."
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Canadian Lung Association honours outstanding contributions to lung health in Canada with King Charles III Coronation Medals
, March 3, 2025 /CNW/ - The Canadian Lung Association is one of a select handful of national organizations that was chosen by the Government of Canada to nominate deserving recipients to receive the King Charles III Coronation Medal. With input from our partners across the country and the public, we compiled a list of individuals who have made outstanding contributions to lung health in Canada. From this list, a selection committee identified 39 trailblazers of respiratory research, compassionate and committed clinicians, tireless and determined advocates and inspiring and supportive educators who made the most distinguished and sustained contributions to the field. The Canadian Lung Association is pleased to present the King Charles III Coronation Medal to the following outstanding individuals: Dr. Shawn Aaron (ON) Dr. Anju Anand (ON) Vibhas Bapat (ON) Dr. Allan Becker (MB) Dr. Jean Bourbeau (QC) MaryAnn Bradley (ON) Dr. Dina Brooks (ON) Dr. Pat Camp (BC) Tina Campbell (SK) Dr. Christopher Carlsten (BC) Neil Collishaw (ON)* Diane Colton (AB) Dr. Francine Ducharme (QC) Dr. Andrea Gershon (ON) Ralph Gouda (ON) Dr. Brian Graham (SK) Dr. Samir Gupta (ON) Dr. Andrew Halayko (MB) Debbie Homik (MB) Neil Johnston (MB) Dr. Alan Kaplan (ON) Dr. Stephen Lam (BC) Dr. Larry Lands (QC) Dr. Richard Leigh (AB) Trent Litzenberger (SK) Dr. Diane Lougheed (ON) David Osborne McDonald (AB) Lynn McDonald (ON) Dr. Neeloffer Mookherjee (MB) Dr. Grace Parraga (ON) Dr. Christopher Pascoe (MB) Dr. Graeme Rocker (NS) Dr. Georg Schmölzer (AB) Dr. Sanja Stanojevic (NS) Dr. Elizabeth Tullis (ON) Barbara Walls (NB) Dr. Susan Waserman (ON) Angeline Webb (AB) Dr. Amy Wong (ON) * awarded posthumously Visit for a short description of each recipient's contribution to lung health in Canada. A virtual ceremony will be held in March 2025 to celebrate the remarkable achievements of our recipients and provide a moment of shared recognition. SOURCE Canadian Lung Association View original content to download multimedia:
