By Rachel Clevenger, RRT, ECG, CTP The increasing overlap of specialties in the healthcare industry should be of no surprise to anyone, as aggravated medical diseases fail to exist inside a vacuum. Cardiac and pulmonary systems are prominent examples of this bitter truth and many singular health issues that begin […]
Respiratory
#Educate_the_Vape: Standing Tall to Help Teens Quit
By Rachel Clevenger, RRT, ECG, CTP The snowballing effect of digital publicity has placed vaping and e-cigarette related lung injuries at the pinnacle of every modern medical conversation for the last several weeks. There are floating questions about a push for state legislation of the products, discussions about CEOs stepping […]
CF Patients Experience Improved Lung Health with Lumacaftor-Ivacaftor But with Caveats
In adolescent and adult patients with cystic fibrosis taking lumacaftor-ivacaftor (ORKAMBI®), the combination drug appears to improve lung function and body weight and reduce the need for intravenous antibiotic treatment, according to a French study published online in the American Thoracic Society’s American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. However, […]
Vaping and Acute Lung Injuries
By Rachel Clevenger, RRT, ECG, CTP For the last few weeks of September, it would appear that every other post on social media or breaking news story is about another case of severe lung infection or fatality tied vaping or e-cigarettes use. This tragedy of over 300 teens and adults […]
Women with Asthma Appear More Likely to Have Lower Testosterone Levels
Women with asthma appear more likely to have lower levels of “free” (not attached to proteins) testosterone than women who do not have asthma, according to new research published online in the American Thoracic Society’s American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. In “Sex Steroid Hormones and Asthma in a […]
Who Owns the Patient in an Integrated Care Model?
COPD care teams are comprised of a multitude of disciplines, across a multitude of locations. Each member of the team plays a vital role in patient management. But who is ultimately responsible for the patient? When patients get sick, whom should they call? Who initiates the palliative care discussion? Who […]
“No Vape” Statement From AMA
AMA urges public to avoid e-cigarette use amid lung illness outbreak “In light of increasing reports of e-cigarette-associated lung illnesses across the country, the AMA urges the public to avoid the use of e-cigarette products until health officials further investigate and understand the cause of these illnesses. The AMA recommends […]
Michigan Governor Bans All Flavored Vaping Products
The American Thoracic Society applauds Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s decision to ban the sale of all flavored e-cigarette and vaping products in the state of Michigan. Governor Whitmer’s decision is an appropriate response to the 215 recently reported cases of e-cigarette triggered acute illnesses that have resulted in hospitalization and in at […]
Vaping Can Trigger Same Lung Changes Seen in Smokers, Emphysema
In a new UNC School of Medicine study led by Rob Tarran, PhD, biomedical researchers show how high levels of protease enzymes in the lungs of e-cigarette users suggest they are at increased risk of developing emphysema E-cigarette “vaping” is widely assumed to be safer than cigarette smoking, but scientists […]
Ivacaftor May Reduce Common Infections in Patients with CF
Patients with cystic fibrosis who take ivacaftor appear to have fewer respiratory infections over time than those not taking the drug, according to new research published online in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society. Cystic fibrosis is caused by mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. Ivacaftor […]













