How Weight Affects Respiratory Infections: Obesity, Underweight, Malnutrition and Pneumonia Risk
Respiratory health guide How Weight Affects Respiratory Infections: Obesity, Underweight, Malnutrition and Pneumonia Risk Body weight can influence immune defence, breathing mechanics, aspiration risk and recovery from respiratory infections. Risk may rise in people living with severe obesity as well as those who are underweight or malnourished. Obesity and immunity Lung reserve Aspiration risk Malnutrition […]
Impact of Reflux and Aspiration on Lung Disease: Mechanisms, Patterns of Injury, and Clinical Management
Reflux, aspiration and respiratory disease Impact of Reflux and Aspiration on Lung Disease: Mechanisms, Patterns of Injury, and Clinical Management Reflux and aspiration can contribute to cough, wheeze, recurrent infection and longer-term airway injury—even when heartburn is absent. Understanding the mechanism and pattern of lung damage is essential before deciding how it should be treated. […]
Biologics for COPD: who they help, and what to expect in 2026
Targeted COPD treatment Biologics for COPD: Who They Help, and What to Expect in 2026 Biologics are targeted immune treatments that can reduce flare-ups in a selected subgroup of people with COPD—particularly those with raised blood eosinophils and continued exacerbations despite optimised inhaled treatment. Type 2 inflammation Blood eosinophils Dupilumab Mepolizumab NICE eligibility Exacerbation prevention […]
Prednisolone for Lung Disease: Benefits, Side Effects, and Alternatives.
Oral corticosteroids, respiratory inflammation and steroid-sparing care Prednisolone for Lung Disease: Benefits, Side Effects, and Alternatives Prednisolone is a powerful anti-inflammatory medicine used for acute asthma attacks and selected inflammatory lung diseases. It can be lifesaving, but repeated or prolonged treatment can affect bones, blood sugar, muscles, mood, infection risk and the body’s natural cortisol […]
Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO): A Quick Guide
Asthma diagnosis, type 2 airway inflammation and treatment monitoring Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO): A Quick Guide Fractional exhaled nitric oxide testing is a quick, non-invasive breathing test that measures nitric oxide in exhaled air. It helps identify type 2 or eosinophilic airway inflammation, supports the diagnosis of asthma and can provide useful information about […]
Unraveling the Intricacies of Graft-Versus-Host Disease (GvHD)
Graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) is a complex medical condition that follows stem cell transplantation. When the newly introduced immune system turns against the host’s cells, it leads to GvHD. This occurrence can assume various forms, such as acute, chronic, progressive, or overlap, each exhibiting different severity levels. A myriad of organs, including the skin, gut, mouth, […]
Smoking Cessation: Your Questions Answered
Has the decision to stop smoking finally been made? You’ve made a wise choice, and this guide will provide you with all the support and information you need on your journey to smoking cessation. We answer all your queries about quitting smoking, ranging from the hazards associated with smoking to the most effective strategies to […]
Non-Tuberculous Mycobacterial infection: When to Treat?
As an expert in pulmonary infections, Dr Ricardo Jose, frequently encounter queries about Mycobacterium other than Tuberculosis, also known as Non-tuberculous mycobacterium (NTM). Non-Tuberculous Mycobacterial infections can be quite puzzling, not only for patients but also for other healthcare professionals. Let’s look at understanding when to treat these pulmonary infections, balancing the fine line between […]
The Unravelling of Green Sputum: A Comprehensive Insight
Green sputum raises eyebrows and concerns alike. Let’s look into the anatomy, biochemistry, immunology, and cellular biomedicine of sputum to understand its true nature and implications. What is Sputum? Often colloquially referred to as phlegm, sputum is not just any mucus. Originating from the lungs and lower respiratory tract, sputum has a unique composition and […]
Bronchiolitis Obliterans: The ‘Popcorn Lung’ Mystery
Introduction Bronchiolitis obliterans is more than just a tongue-twisting medical term. It’s a growing concern in respiratory medicine, often leaving patients and clinicians alike perplexed. Let’s unravel this respiratory enigma. Chronicles of ‘Popcorn Lung’ An odyssey into the annals of medical history reveals significant markers in the Bronchiolitis obliterans narrative. From Popcorn Factories to Lungs […]
Who Should Have the Pneumococcal Vaccine?
The pneumococcal vaccine, often colloquially referred to as the pneumonia vaccine, plays an integral role in the prevention of diseases caused by the Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria. However, it’s important to remember that this particular bacterium is not the only cause of pneumonia, a common misconception. What is the Pneumococcal Vaccine The pneumococcal vaccine targets Streptococcus […]
A Guide to COPD exacerbations
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease s a debilitating, progressive lung disease that affects millions of people worldwide. Characterised by persistent respiratory symptoms and limited airflow, COPD can severely impact a person’s quality of life and day-to-day functioning. One of the key features of this disease is the occurrence of exacerbations – periods when symptoms become significantly […]
Early Lung Cancer Detection: Screening Saves Lives
Lung cancer screening guide Early Lung Cancer Detection: Screening Saves Lives Lung cancer screening uses low-dose CT imaging to look for early disease in people who may be at increased risk but do not have symptoms. Detecting lung cancer earlier can expand treatment options and improve the likelihood of successful treatment. Early detection Low-dose CT […]
7 Warning signs of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an umbrella term for a number of lung diseases that make breathing difficult. COPD is a massively under diagnosed disease that is the third leading cause of death in the world. COPD often leads to exacerbations that significantly impact on quality of life and increases the risk of death […]
3-step Guide to Manage Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
What is COPD? Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that causes obstructed airflow from the lungs. The limitation in the airflow occurs as the airways are obstructed and narrowed. The obstruction particularly results in difficulty to expel air out of the lungs. #1 Make the Diagnosis and Start Treatment […]
