Children and adolescents also have unimpaired lung function COVID-19 infection does not appear to affect the lung function of young adults, according to new research presented at the ‘virtual’ European Respiratory Society International Congress. [1] In the first study to investigate the impact of COVID-19 infection on lung function, researchers led by Dr Ida Mogensen, […]
Category: Respiratory
Rescue and recovery workers and volunteers who arrived early at the World Trade Center site face higher risk of developing COPD
Twenty years on from the September 11 attacks, rescue and recovery workers and volunteers who attended the World Trade Center site are beginning to develop chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) often following a previous diagnosis of asthma, according to research presented at the European Respiratory Society International Congress. [1] The study of almost 18,000 workers […]
E-cigarettes containing nicotine cause blood clotting and make small blood vessels less adaptable
Using e-cigarettes containing nicotine causes an immediate increase in the formation of blood clots and a deterioration in the ability of small blood vessels to expand and dilate, as well as raised heart rate and blood pressure, according to research presented at the European Respiratory Society International Congress. [1] Researchers say these effects are similar […]
Asthma can be caused by office work but finding and tackling the cause can keep employees in work
New research presented at the European Respiratory Society International Congress [1] suggests that the seemingly innocuous environment of an office can cause asthma in some workers. The study found a variety of triggers from printer toner and cleaning products to poor ventilation and mould circulating in air conditioning. It also found that employees with asthma […]
Physical activity during pregnancy is linked to lung function in offspring
Researchers have found further evidence that exercise during pregnancy is good not only for mothers but also for their offspring. In research presented at the ‘virtual’ European Respiratory Society International Congress [1], Dr Hrefna Katrin Gudmundsdottir said that a study of 814 babies had, for the first time, shown a link between lower lung function […]
Modest differences in lung function could help spot people at risk of sudden cardiac death
People who have modestly but measurably worse lung function are more likely to suffer sudden cardiac death (SCD), according to research presented at the European Respiratory Society International Congress. [1] SCD is an unexpected death that results from a sudden malfunction in the heart and in many people who suffer SCD, there are no previous […]
Hotter weather is linked to increases in COPD exacerbations
Warmer weather is linked to a worsening of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) symptoms, according to research to be presented at the ‘virtual’ European Respiratory Society International Congress [1]. Analysis of data from 1,177 current and former smokers with COPD in the USA showed that approximately two days after an increase in ambient temperatures, there […]
COVID-19 infections were high among hospital staff but re-infection rates are very low
A study of healthcare workers shows they were three times more likely to become infected during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the general population. Around one in five of workers who were infected were asymptomatic and unaware they had COVID-19. The study published in ERJ Open Research [1] also shows that it was not only […]
Study suggests wearing a face mask during intense exercise is safe for healthy people
Wearing a protective face mask has only a modest effect on the ability of healthy people to do vigorous exercise, according to a study published in the European Respiratory Journal. Researchers carried out detailed testing on breathing, heart activity and exercise performance in a group of 12 people while they were using an exercise bike […]
Study of emergency workers in New York City shows COVID-19 risk to firefighters and emergency medical workers
Firefighters and emergency medical workers in New York City were 15 times more likely to be infected during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the general public, according to a study published in ERJ Open Research. [1] The study, which includes almost all the 15,000 front-line workers at the Fire Department of […]