Category: Lungs & Breathing
Many people with asthma avoid exercise because they’re afraid it could trigger symptoms or even a full-blown asthma attack. But a new study finds that not only is it safe for people with asthma to exercise, but doing so could reduce their risk of asthma symptoms and attacks.
Since the beginning of the year, 640 cases of whooping cough have been reported in Washington State. Last year by this time, only 94 cases had been reported.
Flu season has started late this year, but a increase in cases indicates the bug has finally arrived. It’s not too late to vaccinate, health officials say.
Preterm babies, those born before 39 weeks, are at increased risk for death, low birth weight, lung disorders, feeding problems and blood infections. More than 500,000 infants are born prematurely in the U.S. each year, an increase of 36 percent in the past two decades.
The number of cases of whooping cough in Washington state increased by more than 50 percent between 2010 and 2011 from 608 cases to 912 cases — the highest number in six years.
The use of overnight sleep testing has soared. One reason, critics say: testing is a lucrative business for doctors.
The use of fireplaces and uncertified wood stoves is prohibited as a high-pressure system brings cold temperatures and calm winds to the region. Air quality is expected to worsen, especially in communities where residential wood burning is common. Burn ban violations are subject to a $1,000 penalty.
Among the trends that drove down the state’s rankings this year were rises in the rates of obesity, diabetes, and smoking — and a decline in high school graduation rates.
In the previous five years, the 7 percent of retailers were caught selling tobacco to underage teens. This year the number caught jumped to 15 percent of the time.
November through March winter weather often causes stagnant air that traps air pollution from outdoor burning, wood stoves, and fireplaces gets trapped near the ground.
A new drug, called ivacaftor or VX-770, significantly improves lung function and other symptoms in cystic fibrosis patients with a specific mutation — Seattle Childrens/UW study finds
The number of cases of whooping cough in Washington are up sharply this year with 431 cases reported in the state — 53 more than this time last year.
LocalHealthGuide is a health news and information web service for Seattle and the Puget Sound Region. We are independent and unaffiliated with any hospital, medical association or insurer. If you have questions or if your group has an upcoming event that you would like us to cover, please let us know by going to our "Contact Us" page and dropping us a note. -- Michael McCarthy, Editor
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Lost in translation: Lack of trained interpreters can lead to medical errors
Interpreter services at hospitals and other medical settings are often inadequate, forcing family members, including children, to step in, or the task falls to medical staff members who may not speak the language well.
Some insurers deny ER coverage to people who have been drinking
Laws in more than half the states permit insurers to deny payment for medical services related to alcohol or drug use. Faced with the prospect of not getting paid for care, some ER personnel sidestep the problem by simply not testing patients’ blood or urine for alcohol.
Travel insurance can protect your wallet — and your health on vacation
Think your regular health insurance policy will cover you if you get into medical trouble overseas?
Don’t bet on it.
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