People who started smoking under the age of 18 are more likely to experience respiratory symptoms, such as wheezing and phlegm, in their 20s, according to research presented at the European Respiratory Society (ERS) Congress in Vienna, Austria [1]. The study also found that the majority of young smokers had taken up the habit before […]
Category: Respiratory
ChatGPT outperformed trainee doctors in assessing complex respiratory illness in children
The chatbot ChatGPT performed better than trainee doctors in assessing complex cases of respiratory disease in areas such as cystic fibrosis, asthma and chest infections in a study presented at the European Respiratory Society (ERS) Congress in Vienna, Austria [1]. The study also showed that Google’s chatbot Bard performed better than trainees in some aspects […]
Medical clowns shorten hospital stays for children with pneumonia
Spending time with a medical clown can shorten the length of hospital stay for children with pneumonia, according to research presented at the European Respiratory Society (ERS) Congress in Vienna, Austria [1]. They can also reduce the duration of intravenous antibiotic use. The study was presented by Dr Karin Yaacoby-Bianu from Carmel Medical Center and […]
Young vapers perform worse in exercise testing
Young people who vape perform worse than non-vapers in tests designed to measure their capacity for exercise, according to a study presented at the European Respiratory Society (ERS) Congress in Vienna, Austria [1]. The research also showed that the performance of young vapers was similar to that of young smokers. The study adds to growing […]
Long-term exposure to air pollution and a lack of green space increases the risk of hospitalisation for respiratory conditions
Long-term exposure to air pollution and a lack of access to green spaces increases the risk of hospitalisation for respiratory conditions, according to a study presented at the European Respiratory Society (ERS) Congress in Vienna, Austria [1]. Traffic-related air pollution is also strongly linked to the progression from asthma to asthma-COPD, according to a second […]
Saline nasal drops reduce the duration of the common cold in young children by two days
Using hypertonic saline nasal drops can reduce the length of the common cold in children by two days, according to a study that will be presented at the European Respiratory Society (ERS) Congress in Vienna, Austria [1]. They can also reduce the onward transmission of colds to family members. The results of the ELVIS-Kids randomised […]
People who a eat healthy, plant-based diet are less likely to suffer with dangerous snoring
People who eat a healthy, plant-based diet that is high in vegetables, fruit, whole grains and nuts are less likely to suffer with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), according to a study published in ERJ Open Research [1]. However, people eating an unhealthy plant-based diet, high in refined carbohydrates, sugary drinks, high-sugar and high-salt foods, are […]
Winding down the window, drinking tea and coffee, turning the radio up and singing while driving could be signs of a dangerous snoring condition
Frequently using more than three strategies to stay alert while driving could be a sign of excessive sleepiness due to obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), according to a study published in ERJ Open Research [1]. People with OSA often snore loudly, their breathing starts and stops during the night, and they may wake up several times. […]
Beetroot juice supplement lowers blood pressure and improves exercise capacity in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
A 12-week course of daily beetroot juice supplement for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) lowered blood pressure and improved how far patients could walk in six minutes in research published n the European Respiratory Journal [1]. COPD is a serious lung condition affecting around 400 million people worldwide [2]. COPD which includes chronic […]
Study of bacteria in day care settings reveals links with children’s lung health
Milan, Italy: Particular combinations of bacteria found in dust at day care facilities have been linked to wheezing in young children in a study presented at the European Respiratory Society International Congress in Milan, Italy [1]. Wheezing in young children is often an early sign of asthma. Children may spend many hours in day care […]