American Thoracic Society Journal news tips for July 2005 (fi...( wheeze for both males and females. All...),Health

The authors point out that several studies have suggested that female sex hormones influence factors associated with asthma. For example, atopy as measured by skin-prick allergen tests changes during the menstrual cycle. When estrogen levels are high, wheal and flare responses increase. Also, the reaction of peripheral white blood cells to the allergen pokeweed is increased in the presence of estrogen, while testosterone inhibits the response.

The study appears in the first issue for July 2005 of the ATS peer-reviewed American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

PULMONARY REHABILITATION PROGRAMS FOR CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE

Incremental exercise tests show that the peak work rate in patients who suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and who have participated in a pulmonary rehabilitation program increases an average of 18 percent, according to a "State of the Art" article on COPD pulmonary rehabilitation in the first issue for July 2005 of the American Thoracic Society's peer-reviewed American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

According to the expert article, the goals of pulmonary rehabilitation programs for COPD patients are to reduce symptoms, improve activity and daily function, and restore the highest level of independent function in patients with respiratory disease.

COPD involves persistent obstruction of the airways caused by severe emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Severe emphysema causes enlargement of the tiny air sacs of the lung (alveoli) and the destruction of their walls. In chronic bronchitis, bronchial glands are enlarged, causing excess secretion of mucus. Frequently, the small airways of the lung become inflamed and blocked. Also, bronchitis victims suffer from a persistent cough that produces sp
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Contact: Cathy Carlomagno
ccarlomagno@thoracic.org
212-315-6442
American Thoracic Society
1-Jul-2005