Reflection on good things in life.

This photo helps to see how awesome reflection is and if we reflect on the good things that have come our way is can be beneficial and pleasant.

CF patients living longer by two new studies. Great news. Here is a good heart quote.

Spring is here. Wishing you all a happy, healthy season with great breathing!!!!

Two great Doctor's Websites.

These two great physicians publish good nutrition and general health information almost daily.
Great to keep up with good health information that is relevant to all of us.  Have a great and healthier day!!

Dr. Mark Stengler <HouseCalls@newmarkethealth.co

Dr. Weil's Daily Tip  <e-bulletins@communications.drweil.com>

An interesting year for all of us.

Great insight and especially nice for days with shortness of breath.

Good Nutrition Info

This information was published by the World Health Organization and it seems easy to do.

Amino acid muscle-building breakthrough

Another nutrition-based COPD treatment that has been used with some success consists of supplemental amino acids, the building blocks of protein. Italian researchers treated 32 men and women with severe COPD and sarcopenia (age-related muscle loss). For 12 weeks the volunteers took supplements of all eight essential amino acids (4 grams total daily) or placebos.

COPD often leads to muscle wasting because people can’t be physically active. By the end of the study, people taking the amino acids had gained an average of 13 pounds, most of which was muscle, not fat. They were also more physically active.⁵

Breathe better with vitamin C

In another study, a team of researchers at the University of Utah treated 10 COPD patients, alternating between 2 grams of intravenous vitamin C (IVC) and a placebo. After getting the IVC, patients had less muscle fatigue and were able to breathe better and slower.⁶

I often administer IVC in my own clinic, and my biggest criticism of the study is that the dose was far too low. I find that patients respond much better with a higher dose of 10 to 20 grams of IVC, whether they have COPD or other health problems. The advantage of IVC is that the vitamin goes directly into the bloodstream, and blood and tissue concentrations can rise higher than is possible with regular vitamin C supplements alone.

Listening, important for everyone, very calming photo and thought!

Hello Again From the Florida Keys

I am now living in the Florida keys and want to share a beautiful sunrise picture with you.  
I will post information on better breathing more often as I now have the time.

 November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month. 
Breathing in a healthy manner is important to good health, and be mindful and kind to your respiratory system.  It is important daily to inhale large breaths several times throughout the day.  It is also very important to eat a diet rich in beta-carotene and antioxidants.  Exercise daily even it is just a nice walk.  Try to relax and even meditate to keep calm.  The more simple you keep your life the healthier you can stay just by eliminating stress.

Relaxing Breath Exercise by Dr. Andrew Weil

Calmness is something to enjoy and appreciate.  Anxiety is often too much a part of life, especially if difficulty breathing is present.  I studied and practiced this technique and think it can be very centering and helpful.  It is simple, brief, and easy to learn and use.  Try it and let me know if it helped.  Please also share techniques you find helpful in stressful times.  You can do this in the comment section below.
Step 1:  Sit in a quiet place, up straight while you learn.  As you get good at it you can do it anywhere, and in any position you choose.
Step 2:   Place the tip of your tongue above and behind your upper front teeth, (on the gum), and keep it here throughout the exercise.  You can purse you lips if that is more comfortable.
Step 3:  Dr. Weil's technique called "4-7-8"

• Exhale completely through your mouth, making a whoosh sound.
• Close your mouth and inhale quietly through your nose to a mental count of four.
• Hold your breath for a count of seven.
• Exhale completely through your mouth, making a whoosh sound to a count of eight.
• This is one breath. Now inhale again and repeat the cycle three more times for a total of four breaths.

The time of each phase is not important.  The ratio of 4:7:8 is.  If you have trouble holding your breath, speed up a little, but keep to the ratio of 4:7:8 for the three phases. With practice you can slow down and may be able to inhale and exhale a bit more deeply.

Dr. Weil says this exercise is a natural tranquilizer for the nervous system.  At first it's subtle  but gains power with repetition and practice. Do it at least twice a day. You can't do it too much but don't do more than four breaths at one time for the first month.  Later, if you wish, you can extend it a few breaths. If you feel a little lightheaded at first, do not be too concerned.  It should soon  pass.

Once you know this technique,  it will be a very useful tool.  You can use it when something upsetting happens - before you react. Use it when you feel tense.  Use it to help you fall asleep. 

This is an easy, useful technique.  Here's to a better breathing day!!

Time To Get Your Flu Shot

The CDC, (Centers for Disease Control), influenza vaccination guideline this year is simple: "Everyone 6 months of age and older should receive influenza vaccine." 

As you know, with breathing difficulty, it is even more important to protect yourself.

The CDC states in it's recommendation for this year, "Annual influenza vaccination, even when the vaccine strains are unchanged, is important because a person's immune protection from influenza vaccination declines over time. Immunity acquired from vaccine administered last season will have declined and may not be enough to prevent infection this season. So, annual influenza vaccination is recommended for optimal protection."

Get your shot now, make it a family event.  It is readily available,  even from your local pharmacist.  It can not cause you to get the flu, as some people suggest.  Of course, as always, consult your doctor. 

Sweet Sleep with Jasmine and Lavender

If you have trouble relaxing and getting to sleep, there are two wonderful floral fragrances that have been shown to help relieve anxiety and promote good sleep..  They are jasmine and lavender. Research has shown the scent of jasmine is as effective as Valium and similar drugs for promoting more peaceful sleep, and reducing anxiety.  Lavender helps with relaxation and is very soothing.

The benefits of jasmine come from taking a warm bath or shower with jasmine-scented soap just before bed.  Lavender works best by massaging a few drops of essential oil into the bottom, instep of each foot before climbing into bed.   You can put a diffuser containing jasmine or lavender in your bedroom.

The environment in your bedroom is also key to good sleep.   Be sure the room is cool,  dark and quiet.  A silky eye covering mask and some earplugs can help.

Sleep is so important to good physical and mental health.   Here’s to a good night of restful sleep!!

Raw Sprouts Dangerous To Eat, Says CDC

Many people think of raw sprouts as a healthy food.  Raw sprouts can be  anything but safe.  Several outbreaks have taught us that it is unsafe to eat raw sprouts and is a good idea to cook them. Here are some reasons they are dangerous, according to the CDC,  (Centers for Disease Control). 1. A sprouting seed is friendly to bacteria such as Salmonella or E coli.   The warm, moist conditions in which sprouts are produced make matters   worse.  Bacteria in or on growing sprouts cannot be washed off.   Sprouts have also carried Listeria, which causes a very dangerous infection   for pregnant women and the elderly. 2.  It is not necessary to eat large quantities of sprouts to get sick. They  can be hidden when used as a garnish, on a sandwich or in a salad. 3.  Sprouts were first recognized as a source of food-bourne disease in the  1990's.  Since 1998, more than 30 outbreaks have been reported to the    CDC, due to many different kinds of sprouts, alfalfa, bean, clover  and others.  4.  When the potential dangers of sprouts became known, the US Food  and Drug Administration developed guidance for growers to help reduce   the risks.  So far, no available method has proven completely effective. 5.  People who eat raw sprouts need to know the risks, including people  that grow their own sprouts.  Contamination typically starts with the seeds. Eat healthy but safely!

Here's a beautiful sunrise to a better breathing day!

Laughter Really Is The Best Medicine

There are some wonderful benefits in laughter.  In many years spent  observing and sharing experiences with people with breathing difficulties, I have seen many.  For those who have retained  secretions and trouble coughing, it can provide great airway  clearance!  It is good breathing exercise.  Best of all, from kids  to adults, it always brings good times together! Laughter Relaxes tension Boosts your immune system Reduces heart rate and blood pressure Exercises breathing muscles Releases endorphins

Green Tea Benefits

 

Green tea is made from the Chinese camellia plant leaves.  You can buy it as traditional tea bags, bottled, or as a supplement.  The way it is processed minimizes oxidation, which may be why is has so many benefits.   Of course always ask your doctor’s opinion.

Here is a list of some of the benefits people are suggesting it may have.  Research is underway or accomplished on many of these.

Stabilizes cholesterol levels      Eases allergy symptoms

Lowers cancer risk                   Prevents tooth decay

Boosts immune system            Eases arthritis pain

Promotes brain, skin and cardiovascular health     

Here's to blue skies, better health, and enjoying each day!!   

 

Just in from Respiratory Report

When heavy smokers kick the habit, they experience elevated levels of the enzyme monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) in regions of the brain that regulate mood, such as the prefrontal cortex and the anterior cingulate cortex, according to Canadian researchers. MAO-A has been linked to depression.

Maintaining good health, especially lung health, has three parts,  exercise, eating right and most importantly not smoking.  It is never too late to quit smoking.   The benefits are well worth it and experienced right away!  There are many tools to help you quit and stay quit.  Ask your doctor for a plan tailored for you.  It may be much easier than you thought.  There are so many options to help you.  Check it out!!  Tomorrow can be a better breathing day!!! 

COPD patients can burn up to 10X more calories.

If you are short of breath, eating well may be harder for you than for other people. Your energy may be limited, making it harder to prepare and eat meals. Medications or depression can reduce your appetite.

Respiratory muscles in people with COPD burn 10 times the calories of other people, This reason is the extra energy needed just to breathe.

Eating sitting up fairly straight is best, using your oxygen as prescribed.  Choose easy to chew foods, chew slowly and breathe deeply while chewing.  Do inhaled medications and airway clearance  before meals, so you are breathing at your best.

A healthy diet becomes very important.  It is also important to maintain a healthy weight.  If you are underweight you may feel weak and tired more often.  Muscles may weaken and you may be more prone to infection. Being overweight makes your heart and lungs work harder and use more oxygen.

Eating small meals and snacks of healthy foods throughout the day may help you maintain a healthy weight, and give you needed energy

Tips to help reverse lung damage from smoking.

 Smoking causes damage to your lungs.  You can “detox” your lungs. They can go from black and clogged toward more pink and healthy by following a simple process.

 Previous posts talked about vitamin A. Studies on lab animals indicate that a good intake of vitamin A can actually help heal the lungs.  Vitamin A also helps resist infections, including those in the respiratory system.

  Recent research shows that vitamin D helps to slow declining lung function in people with asthma.

 Include plenty of anti-oxidants in your diet. Vitamin C and E are powerful antioxidants. They help protect the lung cells from damage from free radicals.  Vitamin C also helps build collagen and elastin, both necessary for tissue health.  With Vitamin C, Magnesium helps maintain healthy lung tissue.

Reduce the amount of sugar you eat.  Sugar can lower you immune systems efficiency.

Cut down on fats and salt.  Sodium causes you to retain fluids and people with lung problems can find it more difficult to breathe. Fats clog arteries.

Eating a healthy diet can begin the detox process.  Maintaining a good weight and exercising, including breathing exercise works to expand and cleanse your lungs. (See Yoga Breathing in an earlier post).