Latest news with #respiratory
CNET
7 hours ago
- Health
- CNET
These Common Health Conditions Can Be Negatively Impacted by the Summer Heat
As the first day of summer fast approaches, during which we are expected to see "hotter-than-normal temperatures," it's important to recognize how the heat may affect your health. In addition to staying hydrated, keeping cool and wearing sunscreen, you should also be aware that heat can affect common health conditions and medications, potentially worsening your symptoms. As always, call 911 if you're in distress or having trouble breathing. It's also important to recognize the signs of heat exhaustion and heatstroke -- the latter often follows the former -- whether for your own health or a neighbor's. Below, we'll get into the common conditions that can be exacerbated by the summer heat. Respiratory conditions People with health conditions that affect the lungs or airway, like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, are more affected by the heat, as hot weather may constrict the airways. If you have a respiratory condition, pay attention to air quality alerts in your area and try to limit your time outside on the hottest days. What to do: If you have asthma or use an inhaler, you may want to carry your inhaler with you at all times, according to the Allergy & Asthma Network, and check in with your doctor if you notice your symptoms worsening. Make note of the inhaler's instructions for storage, and definitely don't leave it in your hot car or anywhere it can overheat. As laid out by Temple Health, you may also want to plan your day around the hottest periods. For example, if you need to run errands, try going out in the morning or later in the evening. Very common health conditions, like diabetes and high blood pressure, can make a person more susceptible to soaring temperatures. Willie B. Thomas/Getty Images Skin conditions Weather at both ends of the spectrum can cause symptoms to flare up for people with eczema and rosacea. High heat is associated with dehydration, sweating and more sunlight; all of which can trigger a flare-up of a skin condition. Also, people prone to acne may notice more breakouts in the summer, thanks to all that sweat and the bacteria that's in it. What to do: If you have eczema, follow these tips for the summer months from the American Academy of Dermatology Association: To keep skin hydrated (and reduce the likelihood of a flare-up): limit showers to one per day, in lukewarm water, and try to keep to under 10 minutes. If you do sweat or require another shower, try to make it a cool one. Use fragrance-free soaps, shampoos and even laundry detergent, if you can. The sweat can make someone sensitive to fragrance or dyes even more sensitive. (Plus, don't overdo it on soap in general.) Wear loose clothing. If you're prone to acne, take extra care to shower or rinse off after exercise or sweating in the heat, as the bacteria and sweat buildup can make everyone more susceptible to pimples. If you have a skin condition, pay extra close attention to the ingredients in your sunscreen. The National Eczema Association recommends mineral-based ingredients. Diabetes About 12% of people in the US have diabetes, and people with both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes feel the heat more than others, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Diabetes can cause complications that interfere with how your sweat glands work, and therefore how well your body is able to cool itself. Diabetes can also dehydrate you (dehydration is a very common symptom of diabetes, and not one to overlook), worsening an already-common issue during the summer months. Additionally, high temperatures can change how your body uses insulin, according to the Centers for Disease Control. What to do: Avoid getting sunburned as much as you can, as sunburn can raise your blood sugar, per the CDC. To do this, wear sunscreen, a big hat and even some protective, loose-fitting clothing, if you can. The CDC also recommends not going barefoot, even on the beach. (Some people with diabetes have nerve damage that affects their feet, making it hard to feel sensations like heat or pain in their feet.) To keep yourself hydrated, try to limit alcohol or caffeine on really hot days. If you use insulin, make sure to store it as directed and away from extreme temperatures (PDF), as that can cause it to lose effectiveness. Heart disease and high blood pressure Being hot can put extra strain on your heart, which can be an issue if you're living with cardiovascular disease. Also, people with high blood pressure are more likely to have heat-related illnesses or experience heatstroke. What's more, some common medications people take for their heart or blood pressure can affect the body's response to heat, including beta blockers, diuretics and ACE inhibitors. What to do: Try to limit things that excite your body or raise your blood pressure, like drinking caffeine or doing anything strenuous when it's hot outside, according to the Mississippi State Department of Health. As always, stay hydrated. Because such common medications for heart health can affect the way the body handles heat, it's a good idea to check in with your doctor about how to most safely manage the warmer months. You may also take advantage of the fruits of summertime, like fresh garden vegetables, to add to your nutrition and create a more heart-healthy diet. Use these hot months as an excuse to get your blood pressure checked or managed. High blood pressure is extremely common; about half of US adults have it. Pregnancy High heat, as well as pollution, can affect a pregnancy and increase the risk of early delivery, low birth weight and other not-ideal outcomes. This is in addition to making a pregnancy way less comfortable. What to do: If you're pregnant, take the steps you normally would to keep yourself and your internal body temperature cool, like staying indoors as much as possible on hot days and making sure you stay hydrated. To keep your nutrition intake up in the heat, try eating small, cool meals (like bowls of fruit or hearty salads), as BabyCenter suggests (BabyCenter is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis.). Research has shown that environmental stressors, including high temperatures and heat, affect a pregnancy and a developing diseases Health conditions that start in the immune system may flare up for people during the summer months. According to the Global Autoimmune Institute, high temperatures, UV light and humidity can trigger an immune response. Lupus, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and more may all be exacerbated by the heat, whether the effects are in the joints (as with arthritis) or neurological (as with MS). What to do: The National Multiple Sclerosis Society recommends doing all the things you're probably already doing to stay cool, like staying in an air-conditioned space (the society also notes that your AC cost may be tax deductible, if your health care provider writes a prescription for it to minimize symptoms). It also recommends doing some pre- and post-cooling if you'll be exercising, by gradually adding cool water to tepid bath water. In general, as the Global Autoimmune Institute says, be mindful of sudden changes in temperature, which may also cause problems (i.e. going from a very cold air-conditioned room to a 90-something-degree sunny day). Allow your body time to ease into it. If you have an autoimmune condition that affects the skin, like psoriasis, and warm weather makes it worse instead of better, you may help prevent a flare-up by following the skin care tips for people with eczema, like using gentle soaps and limiting warm showers. Mental health symptoms Extreme heat and climate change affect mental health in many, often overlapping, ways. For example, many mental health conditions are more likely to occur in people with other health conditions, or those who are affected by factors that make them more vulnerable to high heat, like poverty. People with schizophrenia may have a harder time regulating their body temperature, and some medications prescribed for mental health, including certain antidepressants, medications to manage psychosis symptoms and stimulants for ADHD can also affect the way the body regulates temperature. Many people may also be at a higher risk of depression, irritability or mania during the warmer months of spring and summer, and extreme heat has been linked to more reports of harm and death. What to do: If you're experiencing symptoms of depression, hopelessness or mania, or any type of mood state that affects your quality of life, talk with a medical or health-care professional about a plan to manage symptoms during warmer waves when symptoms could be worse, as well as a long-term plan for getting help. If you're taking prescription medication for anything (whether it be for mental health symptoms or something else) it's a good idea to check in with your doctor about whether there are any additional steps you should take to stay safe. If you are having thoughts of suicide, or you believe someone you know is in danger, you should call 911 (or your country's local emergency line) or go to an emergency room. Explain that it's a psychiatric emergency and ask for someone who is trained for these kinds of situations.
Health Line
27-05-2025
- General
- Health Line
Causes of a Wet Cough and How to Treat It
A wet cough, also known as a productive cough, is any cough that produces mucus. It is often a sign of a bacterial or viral infection. Not all treatments are suitable for children, so it is best to contact a doctor. If you have a wet cough, it may feel like you have something stuck in your chest or the back of your throat. Sometimes a wet cough will bring mucus into your mouth. Treatment for a wet cough is not always necessary. If doctors do recommend treatments, they can include a combination of medications and lifestyle changes, though not all are suitable for children. Read on to learn more about the causes of a wet cough. This article also looks at treatment options, when to contact a doctor, and more. Causes of a wet cough Wet coughs most often result from infections by microorganisms, such as bacteria or viruses. This includes the microorganisms that cause a cold or the flu. Your entire respiratory system is lined with mucous membranes. Mucus performs many beneficial functions in your body, like keeping your airways moist and protecting your lungs from irritants. When you have an infection like the flu, your body produces more mucus than usual. This helps trap and expel the organisms causing infection. Coughing helps you get rid of all the excess mucus that gets stuck in your lungs and chest. There are other reasons why your body may produce more mucus than usual, causing you to develop a wet cough. These include: Bronchitis: Bronchitis is inflammation of the bronchial tubes, the tubes that carry air into your lungs. Acute bronchitis is typically brought on by a variety of viruses. Chronic bronchitis is an ongoing condition, often caused by smoking. Pneumonia: Pneumonia is a lung infection that's caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. It's a condition that ranges in severity from mild to life threatening. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): COPD is a group of conditions that damage both your lungs and bronchial tubes. Smoking is the number one cause of COPD. Cystic fibrosis: Cystic fibrosis is a genetic condition of the respiratory system. It usually develops in early childhood. It causes the production of thick, sticky mucus in the lungs and other organs. Asthma: Although people with asthma are more likely to have a dry cough, a small subset of people produce ongoing excess mucus and experience a chronic wet cough. Pulmonary edema: Pulmonary edema is fluid buildup in the lungs. It's usually caused by heart failure and is a very common cause of wet cough. If you have pulmonary edema, you may cough up pink, frothy phlegm. Wet cough in a child In children, coughs are caused by a viral infection most of the time. Asthma may also result in a cough. All other causes of wet cough in children, such as the following, can include: Whooping cough: Whooping cough presents in violent attacks of uncontrollable coughing. Children make a 'whoop' sound as they gasp for air. Inhalation: Cough in children is sometimes caused by inhaling a foreign body, cigarette smoke, or other environmental irritants. Pneumonia: Pneumonia can be dangerous in newborns and young children. Diagnosing a wet cough To diagnose your cough, your doctor will first need to know how long it's been going on and how severe the symptoms are. Your doctor may be able to diagnose the cause of a wet cough based on a physical examination and the symptoms you are experiencing. If your cough is long lasting or severe, or you have other symptoms, a doctor may want to order additional tests. Additional testing may include: chest X-rays lung function tests blood tests sputum analysis pulse oximetry test How to treat a wet cough Treatments for a wet cough depend on what's causing it. For the majority of wet coughs caused by a virus, such as a cold or the flu, medical treatment is not usually necessary. Bacterial causes require antibiotics. Over-the-counter (OTC) medications can help manage symptoms of a wet cough. However, The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that children younger than 2 years should not be given OTC cough and cold medications. Speak with a pharmacist or doctor for recommendations on other remedies that may help, based on the cause of the cough and the age of the individual. When to contact a doctor Consult a doctor if your cough has been going on for more than 2 weeks. Seek immediate medical treatment if you're having trouble breathing or coughing up blood, or notice a bluish skin tone. Mucus with a foul smell can also be a sign of a more serious infection. Call the doctor immediately if a child: is younger than 3 months and has a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher is younger than 2 years and has a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher for more than 1 day is older than 2 years and has a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher for more than 3 days has a fever over 104°F (40°C) has wheezing without a history of asthma is crying and can't be comforted is difficult to wake has a seizure has a fever and rash
ABC News
17-05-2025
- Health
- ABC News
Smoke Alert for areas between WITCHCLIFFE and AUGUSTA and surrounding areas in the SHIRE OFAUGUSTA MARGARET RIVER
* Shut doors and windows and turn off air-conditioners. * If driving through the area, turn on headlights and drive slowly. If you cannot see clearly, pull over to the left, keep your headlights and hazard lights on, and wait until the smoke clears. * People with asthma and pre-existing respiratory or cardiovascular illnesses should follow their pre-prepared treatment plan. * If affected by smoke, contact your doctor or call Health Direct on 1800 022 222 [tel:1800022222]. * Watch for emergency services personnel and follow their directions.
Gizmodo
15-05-2025
- Health
- Gizmodo
Lung Power Peaks in Our 20s—and It's a Steady Decline From There, Study Finds
Our lungs may start to lose their steam earlier in life than we thought. Research out today suggests that lung function tends to peak in young adulthood and only gets worse from there. Scientists at the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) led the study, published Thursday in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine. After analyzing data from earlier population studies, the researchers found that peak lung function is usually reached by our early 20s and—contrary to current wisdom—continues to steadily decline as we age. According to lead author Judith Garcia-Aymerich, co-director of the Environment and Health over the Life Course program at ISGlobal, it's been assumed that our lungs follow a specific trajectory: they gradually get stronger until our mid-20s, reach a steady plateau over the next few decades, then decline as we reach middle age. But this assumption was based on studies that only examined lung function at certain time periods, rather than over the course of an entire life. To bridge this knowledge gap, Garcia-Aymerich's team combined and analyzed data from eight different population studies in Europe and Australia. These studies collectively involved around 30,000 people from the ages of four to 82, and lung function was measured through forced spirometry, a test where people blow out as much air as possible after taking a deep breath. The researchers first identified two broad stages of lung development: a phase of rapid growth in early childhood, followed by slower, steady growth through the early 20s. On average, this peak was reached around age 20 for women and age 23 for men. Unlike other research, they failed to find any evidence of a steady period of lung function following this peak. 'Previous models suggested a plateau phase until the age of 40, but our data show that lung function starts to decline much earlier than previously thought, immediately after the peak,' said Garcia-Aymerich in a statement released by ISGlobal. The findings, somber as they are, might help improve how respiratory health is tracked and maintained, the researchers say. They found that certain risk factors for poor lung health, such as asthma and smoking, might affect lung function a bit differently than suspected, for instance. Chronic asthma appears to weaken lung health at an early age, a weakness that then persists throughout a person's life. Smoking, on the other hand, seems to rapidly worsen a person's lungs starting in the mid-30s. Equipped with this knowledge, it might be possible to intervene early on, the researchers say. 'Early detection of low lung function may allow interventions to prevent chronic respiratory diseases in adulthood,' said Garcia-Aymerich. While our lungs might not stay in tip-top shape as long as hoped, there are things most anyone can do to keep them as healthy as possible, such as regular physical exercise.
Reuters
13-05-2025
- Business
- Reuters
India's Cipla beats quarterly profit view on strong demand
May 13 (Reuters) - Cipla ( opens new tab, India's No. 3 drugmaker by sales, reported a fourth-quarter profit that beat estimates on Tuesday, helped by strong demand for its generic respiratory drugs. The company's consolidated net profit came in at 12.22 billion rupees ($143.5 million) in the January-March period. Analysts, on average, expected 10.24 billion rupees, per data compiled by LSEG. ($1 = 85.1560 Indian rupees)
