— But wearing a face mask reduces the threat — Researchers have found the first direct evidence that tiny particles of air pollution stick to our red blood cells, meaning they can travel freely around the body. These particles are produced by vehicle exhausts and from brake and tyre wear, and can easily enter the […]
Category: Respiratory
Doctors and nurses are better than AI at triaging patients
Vienna, Austria: Doctors and nurses are better at triaging patients in emergency departments than artificial intelligence (AI), according to research presented at the European Emergency Medicine Congress on Tuesday [1]. However, Dr Renata Jukneviciene, a postdoctoral researcher at Vilnius University, Lithuania, who presented the study, said that AI could be useful when used in conjunction […]
Exercise can help to restore the immune system of people with post-COVID syndrome
Exercise can help to restore a more normal, well-regulated immune system in people with post-COVID syndrome, according to a gold-standard randomised-controlled trial presented at the European Respiratory Society Congress in Amsterdam, the Netherlands [1]. The study was presented by Dr Enya Daynes, from a team of researchers led by Professor Nicolette Bishop from Loughborough University, […]
Indoor wood burners linked to a decline in lung function
Using a wood burning stove at home can lead to a decline in lung function, according to research presented at the European Respiratory Society Congress in Amsterdam, the Netherlands [1]. The study was presented by Dr Laura Horsfall, Principal Research Fellow from the Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, UK. The use of solid […]
Children lose 8.45 million days of healthy life due to second hand smoke
Children from low socio-economic regions face the biggest impact Children lose 8.45 million days of healthy life each year globally due to second hand smoke, according to research presented at the European Respiratory Society Congress in Amsterdam, the Netherlands [1]. Children from low socio-economic regions face the biggest impact of breathing second hand smoke, also […]
Higher levels of air pollution linked to worsening of sleep apnoea
People who have obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) may suffer worse symptoms if they live in areas with higher levels of air pollution, according to a multi-national study presented at the European Respiratory Society (ERS) Congress in Amsterdam, the Netherlands [1]. Patients with OSA often snore loudly, their breathing starts and stops during the night, and […]
People may age faster if their dad smoked during puberty
People whose fathers smoked during puberty seem to age faster than expected, according to research presented at the European Respiratory Society (ERS) Congress in Amsterdam, the Netherlands [1]. The researchers found signs of faster biological ageing, compared to chronological age, in people whose fathers began smoking at age 15 or younger. They say smoking during […]
Hypnosis can make ventilation masks more acceptable to patients with breathing problems
Vienna, Austria: Hypnosis can significantly improve patients’ tolerance of masks to help them breathe when they are suffering from acute respiratory failure, according to a pilot study presented at the European Emergency Medicine Congress on Monday [1]. People who come to hospital with breathing problems are often given non-invasive ventilation (NIV) via a mask and […]
Children with asthma who use at-home monitoring are half as likely to need hospital care
Children with asthma who use at-home monitoring are around half as likely to visit the emergency department or be hospitalised, compared to those who only receive care from their medical team, according to research presented at the European Respiratory Society (ERS) Congress in Amsterdam, the Netherlands [1]. Remote monitoring also helped keep children’s symptoms under […]
Specialised singing programmes can improve the symptoms and quality of life of people with lung disease
Singing can improve the quality of life of people with lung disease and help reduce their symptoms, according to a gold-standard randomised-controlled trial presented at the European Respiratory Society Congress in Amsterdam, the Netherlands [1]. The study was presented by Professor Natasha Smallwood from Monash University, Melbourne, Australia. Professor Smallwood told the Congress: “Chronic breathlessness […]