Respiratory

Albert Rizzo, MD, FACP, chief medical officer for the American Lung Association, offers his thoughts on the FDA's recent proposal to require health warnings with images on cigarette packages.

Quitting smoking can reduce a heavy smoker’s risk of heart disease within 5 years.

CDC continues to investigate growing cases of lung illnesses for possible correlations to vape usage; a study suggests steroid inhaler use in patients with mild asthma may be ineffective; Oklahoma judge set to decide opioid lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson today.

Researchers found evidence correlating toxic air pollutants to increased respiratory and cardiovascular death rates.

A new study said antimicrobial resistance rates may display seasonal variation, peaking in winter, that could result from the seasonality of infectious diseases and accompanied antibiotic use.

Planned Parenthood's efforts to halt the Trump administraion's "gag rule" have been denied by a federal appeals court; e-cigarette usage is being probed by the CDC for links to reported cases of lung illnesses; public health experts warn that Trump's new administration plan will lead to ailing immigrants.

Parents treated for tobacco addiction within a pediatric office were associated with a significant decline in smoking rates as opposed to standard offices.

Under a proposed rule released today, the agency would require new health warnings on cigarette packages and advertisements, which would feature pictures and images depicting some of the lesser-known health risks, including bladder cancer and heart disease.

The FDA ordered 4 companies to stop selling 44 of their flavored e-liquid and hookah tobacco products that lack the required approval for sale; CMS has yet to implement a 2014 law preventing unnecessary, expensive screening tests (magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomagraphy scans and other tests) that could harm patients and waste resources; Amarin, which is seeking FDA approval for an expansion of Vascepa labeling to include data that showed a 25% reduction in the risk of heart attacks and strokes, said the FDA has scheduled an advisory committee meeting for November 14.

Through the study, researchers identified a potential treatment target that could lead to alternatives for preventing the life-threatening condition.

Rutgers University study finds that prescriptions for antihistamines rose after prescriptions for opioid-containing medications started to fall after 2008.

A new study examining the characteristics of patients seen in a cardiac intensive care unit found that the range of acute conditions is diverse, including acute coronary syndrome, heart failure, respiratory insufficiency, and shock, suggesting that optimizing staffing for increased efficiency might be useful.

US District Judge James E. Boasberg ruled that New Hampshire cannot move ahead with work requirements in exchange for Medicaid coverage; a study looking at 8 flavors of Juul e-liquids found the presence of acetals, irritating chemicals formed from alcohol and aldehydes, in the Crème brûlée flavor; Medicaid expansion advocates are petitioning Florida, Missouri, and Oklahoma to include ballot measures asking voters if they want to allow the federal healthcare program to cover more low-income adults.

Researchers said they have identified the mechanics that link a pro-inflammatory lipid in the infant microbiome at birth to the later development of allergies and asthma.

While poor sleep quality is common in patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD), it is unclear which factors other than sleep disordered breathing may contribute to poor sleep quality for these patients. A study published in ERJ Open Research found that providers should target depression and coexisting sleep disorders in order to improve sleep quality and quality of life for patients with ILD.

Researchers said if the findings are confirmed, pregnant women may want to limit their time outdoors when air quality advisories indicate unhealthy conditions.

An anaysis of nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) diagnostic tests for 15 years, water disinfection treatment, and water sources has found that where a city gets it water can increase the risk of NTM infection more than how the water is treated.

Doctors writing for the American Academy of Pediatrics say 80% of the cases of a rare condition, paradoxical vocal fold motion, are confused with asthma.