Certain cancer drugs could be used in the future to treat COPD

New research has shown the potential for clinically available cancer treatments to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Scientists from the University of Sheffield have been investigating the effect of drugs used to treat a variety of cancers on this inflammatory response; the main driver of lung damage in people living with COPD.

COPD slowly develops over many years - often patients are not aware they have it until their 40s or 50s - and for the 1.2 million people in the UK who have been diagnosed, it makes breathing progressively more difficult.

People living with COPD experience a wide range of symptoms that have an increasing impact on their quality of life, including breathlessness, coughing and frequent chest infections.

The damage to the lungs is driven by inflammation caused by immune cells called neutrophils.
A research team at the University's Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease screened a library of cancer drugs and identified a number of compounds which accelerate the death of the neutrophil cells and promote healing in the lungs.

The research, funded mainly by the Medical Research Council, discovered that specific cancer drugs inhibit a cell signaling process controlling the death-rate of the harmful neutrophils. The team also discovered that editing the genes that encode the cell signaling in the first place, further decreased inflammation.

Dr Lynne Prince, Russell Fellow at the University of Sheffield, said:

COPD is usually treated with steroids and airway muscle relaxants which ease symptoms, but there is currently no effective treatment clinically available to counteract the damage it does to the lungs.

Our research now shows that inhibitors of these cell signaling processes, or ErbB kinases, could have therapeutic potential in neutrophilic inflammatory disease.
The hope of these drugs is that they can clear the damaging cells from the lungs of people living with COPD, preventing any further damage and therefore the progression of the disease for the first time."

Repurposing a clinically available drug has many benefits, said Professor Stephen Renshaw, from the University of Sheffield:

We are in desperate need of a new treatment for COPD, millions of people all over the world live with the disease and it has a massive impact on their quality of life, especially as the disease progresses.
What is exciting about this research is that these drug compounds are available now, which means if our continued research can effectively find a lead compound to benefit people living with COPD, they are ready to use.
As neutrophilic inflammation is also central to the progression of other chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, the research has the potential to impact not only people living with COPD.
Our next step is to find a way to test these drugs in people with COPD to understand how the ErbB kinase signaling process has an effect on lung inflammation and to address any potential side effects."

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source- Uni. of Sheffield

TB survivors at higher risk of developing lung damage

Tuberculosis (TB) survivors, especially those living in India, are at a higher risk of developing lasting damage to lungs, according to a study done on more than 2,000 Indian patients.

The study has found that more than one-third of patients who are successfully cured of TB with antibiotics developed permanent lung damage, which, in the worst cases, results in large holes in the lungs called cavities and widens the airways called bronchiectasis.

According to the World Health Organisation’s Global TB Report 2018, an estimated 2.8 million people have contracted TB in India which represents one quarter of all TB cases worldwide.

“This study calls urgent attention to the problem of post-TB lung damage worldwide. TB is a curable condition with antibiotics and great steps forward have been made towards eliminating the disease,” said study's lead author.

“But this study is a wake-up call because even if we manage to eliminate all TB worldwide tomorrow, we are going to be left with a legacy of chronic lung damage and bronchiectasis which will require better recognition and better treatment,” he said.

For the study, the research team recruited 2,195 patients with established bronchiectasis from 14 Indian states.

TB survivors and patients with a history of severe infections such as childhood pneumonia made up the majority of patients with lung damage in India. The researchers found that these infections left a legacy of daily cough, further chest infections and poor quality of life.

Patients required further hospitalisations for treatment of their lung conditions in nearly 40 per cent of cases. Patients with post-TB lung damage had lost approximately 40 per cent of their lung capacity, leaving many patients with persistent breathlessness.

Compared with patients in Europe and the US, those in India had more severe lung damage, lung function was worse and patients were more likely to be hospitalised for severe infections.

Recommended treatment for these patients such as inhalers, physiotherapy and antibiotic treatment for infections were rarely provided.

Physiotherapy exercises and antibiotics are inexpensive treatments which are proven to improve quality of life and reduce lung infections, but were available to less than 50 per cent of Indian patients.

The Indian government has pledged to eradicate TB by 2025, however this study warns that the TB epidemic could have lasting consequences for the treatment of lung conditions.

THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.                                    PS- THOSE INTERESTED IN RECIPES ARE FREE TO  VIEW MY BLOG-                                                                                           https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com/                                                                                                                                                FOR INFO ABOUT KNEE REPLACEMENT, YOU CAN VIEW MY BLOG-                                                  https:// kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com/                                                                      FOR CROCHET DESIGNS                                                                                                    

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7 Things Coughing Can Do to Your Body

A cough can be described as a rapid expulsion of air from the lungs to clear the throat and airways of mucus, foreign particles, fluids, microbes, and various irritants. In a 2013 review, it was found that the average cough lasts around 18 days. Any cough that lasts for more than eight weeks can be regarded as chronic and it is therefore advised that you seek medical help. Yet despite the advice, many people let a persistent cough go untreated for too long. Here are seven signs that indicate your cough is symptomatic of something more serious.

 

Structural damage

A cough can affect your health in unexpected ways. It may indicate illnesses like tuberculosis (TB) and some cancers. In addition, a chronic cough can also cause social embarrassment, interfere with sleep patterns, and cause headaches and urinary incontinence. But it doesn't just stop there! Violent, persistent coughing can actually cause 'structural' damage to your body. Let's take a look at 7 such situations: 
1. Muscular pain
Persistent coughing can lead to chronic muscular pain. So every time you have a coffee fit, strong pressure is generated which can strain muscles, causing pain.

2. Cracked ribs

Rib fractures which are caused by chronic coughing generally occur in women. The middle ribs along the side are mostly affected. One of the risk factors is lower bone density. But a cough-induced rib fracture is possible and can happen in people with normal bone density. 
3. Damage to small blood vessels
A violent coughing fit may cause fine blood vessels, such as in the anus and nose, to burst, which can lead to a hemorrhage. 

4. Rupture of the diaphragm

During the expiratory phase of a cough, the diaphragm contracts. During forced respiratory movements, the diaphragm is pushed upward while the ribs are pushed inward and downward. Consequently, this opposing action can at times result in diaphragmatic rupture. 
5. Abdominal hernia 
While damage to the abdominal wall after coughing is rare, it may require surgical intervention. Abdominal herniation and abdominal muscle tears have been reported. However, abdominal muscle tears are difficult to detect and mostly occur in patients who suffer from chronic bronchitis. Yet, abdominal hernias which are generally caused by a cough are easier to detect.

6. Tissue damage in the throat

Persistent coughing can cause throat infections. This can lead to an infection risk to other parts of the body. Inflammation in the tissues of the throat may also be caused by a chronic cough. 
7. Coughing up blood
Known as hemoptysis, coughing up small amounts of bright red blood or frothy blood-streaked saliva and phlegm indicates that blood from your lungs is due to a prolonged coughing or a chest infection. 

THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            PS- THOSE INTERESTED IN RECIPES ARE FREE TO  VIEW MY BLOG-                                                                                           https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com/   

 
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Last year This Time

Hi All

last year this time, I was a "guest" at CCU, Ganga Ram Hosp. I said, "guest", because normally one stays in CCU for 3-4 days, I was there for good 16 days ! had heart attack, with severe chest infection. Around a litre of fluid was drained out from around my lungs & heart ! When one has various problems like me, also being a cancer survivor, the doctors had to eliminate if cancer had spread, so had PET scan & another scan, n no. of blood tests to rule out different diseases, all because, I couldn't breathe without oxygen 24 hours. Seeing this state of mine, my dear hubby was so worried, that whenever any tests had to be done, like angio, PET scan, puncturing my ribs to drain out the fluid, I simply told the doctor on duty & the nurses, not to inform my hubby & I'ld sign the papers, as I was more worried, as he isn't mentally strong like me & with 2 stents in his 2 major arteries, I was more worried about his health, so didn't want him to have any further shocks. Also, he was so worried, that if I'ld need oxygen, once discharged too, as on many occasions, when he came to see me during the visitor's time in the evening, I'ld not even talk to him, as on many days, I had a back up machine to pump more oxygen, as just the normal tube wasn't enough. at this time, not able to talk, I tried to write messages in his hand, but he'ld not follow, so wrote it on some paper. 

For this nth life ( having survived 12 surgeries)  as one of our neighbour, died during a simple cataract surgery, another died during L4-L-5 surgery, which I too had just some months before that ! so, for this life, I'm truly grateful to  doctors- Dr. Bhatia, who was in constant touch with the doctors at Ganga Ram, then would brief our daughter each evening, Dr. Sawhney, Dr. Khandpal, who did both angio & draining the fluid from around the heart, for them I owe this life. And Dr. Basu, who was determined not to start on TB medication, but gave me steroids for the infection.

The life at CCU was a bit scary, as especially, the bed on which I was for 4 days, 2 patients who came after me in that very bed died & the 3rd one was revived thanks to the very alert nurses there, who seeing the pulse dropping rapidly, resuscitated her. Seeing such a young lady's life draining away, made me sad, but was happy to see her recuperating later.

So, now you all know, why I feel happy for each day of my life, enjoy it to the utmost, doing things that make me & others around me happy. After all when we die, we don't take anything with us, if at all, we can leave some good memories. I hope I can do the latter.

Make the most of each hour, be happy, keep smiling. Help others if you can, if not at least don't harm anyone.

Best wishes & regards to all.

Geetha

Had angina attack & severe chest infection

Hi All

just wanted to let u all know that for almost 3 weeks, I didn't  mail any new post, as I had an angina attack, then had severe chest infection, was in ICCU for 14 days with oxygen all the time, then 3 days in the ward, without oxygen, before I'd be discharged. I went through many tests, before they'ld find out the actual cause of my breathlessness, as they thought my cancer may have spread, luckily that is ruled out, but one tests, which is supposed to be Rapid test report, is the slowest, it takes 6 weeks for the report, that means another almost 5 weeks, but by that time, the medication I'm on may show some results.

Almost 300 ml of fluid was drained out from my lungs, then more than 600 ml of fluid was drained from around my heart, that was the scariest part, as the cardiologists, kept postponing the procedure which the chest specialist wanted, as they knew it was a risky procedure, as they had to puncture a hole in my ribs to drain out, any minor error, the heart could be punctured, then if that was the case,  then I'd not have been able to relate my story to u all. During this whole scary procedure, I was totally conscious, the hole they punctured was painful, it got infected later, had some special dressing, luckily the wound has healed now. But, I've to go for regular follow up for some more time. Tomorrow, having another echo done to see if there is any more fluid collection around the heart, hope not, after that seeing the chest specialist & the cardiologist. They did an angiography, luckily, no major artery is blocked. They did a VQ scan, to see if there were any blood clots from my legs that had moved to block my lungs etc, that was also not there, then a PET scan, to see if my cancer had spread, that too was negative. So, there were at least few good things to feel happy about.

It was due to all those who were aware of my hospitalization & were praying for my recovery is, what made me recover soon, especially my hubby, kids & above all my grand daughter & my servants. I'm happy for this 4th lease of life, may be I belong the feline family !

Thank God, that none of you saw me soon after coming home, as you all would have had nightmares, as I looked like a ghost, face all puffed up, in uniformity with my bloated body, but it had an ashen look. My poor neighbour,saw me on 2nd day, as hubby was down with diarrhea & vomiting, so I had to take charge of filling water in the morning, as I wasn't sure if water was coming, so called out to him, but instead of answering me, he kept staring at my face & quickly ran inside the house, then only I realised, poor kid, as he is as old as my son,got scared, as when he came out again, he didn't look up, just said, water not coming ! So, for the first time in my life, I managed to scare the wits out of someone, as even my 5 yr. old student wasn't scared of me ! That neighbour told his wife about my scary looks, so for ' Ashtami', when she came to give the ' prasad' she didn't wait for me to come , just quickly handed it to my maid & said tell aunty that she'd come later to see me, well till today, she hasn't come !

So, a caution, to all those who are old like me, whenever, you find people close to you or those with whom you're in close contact due to work, have very bad cold, cough, please be careful, as we age, our resistance gets worse, all the more so, for people like me, who are cancer survivors, so take caution. Also if your breathlessness persists for long, don't ignore thinking it is just due to obesity or old age only, consult your Dr.

Sorry for boring you all with my story, as I wanted you all to know, how scary some disease can be, but never lose hope, faith & positive attitude helps you to recover soon.

best wishes & regards to all