Blog
Respecting tobacco: ceremonial vs. commercial tobacco use?
Ceremonial tobacco vs commercial tobacco. Is there a difference? Yes, a big difference. Tobacco has been used traditionally by most Aboriginal cultures for thousands of years. First Nations and Métis use tobacco for ceremony, healing and giving thanks, while commercial cigarettes serve an entirely different purpose. In fact they’ve been designed to be highly addictive and will make you sick
My Experience With Lung Cancer – Epilogue
On March 17, 2016, 26 months after receiving her diagnosis of lung cancer, Dr. Terry-Nan Tannenbaum passed away. The courage with which she struggled against lung cancer is evident from the six instalments of her blog. The Lung Association was truly blessed to have a friend such as Dr. Terry-Nan Tannenbaum. From 1999 to 2006, Terry-Nan was the Medical Director of a project to develop a TB control
5 minutes with Dr. Don Sin
What is the focus of your research? My research interests include finding new solutions to reduce the growing burden of COPD and new therapies to treat COPD-related co-morbidities such as cardiovascular disease. COPD is the fourth-leading cause of death in Canada and the number-one cause of hospital admissions. On average, patients remain in hospital for 10 days at a cost of $10,000 per patient
Red hair, red scooter, a real attitude, and COPD. Meet Trish Verrier.
Yesterday I met a remarkable person while visiting the COPD clinic at St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver. Meet Trish Verrier. To see this vibrant 65 year old with hair as red as her scooter and a smile that lights up the room, one doesn’t detect any signs of the sadness or pain she’s endured. Nor does one hear many complaints – which says a lot considering her very serious, and sometimes scary, lung
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: The top five questions (and answers) from The Lung Association’s Lung Health Helpline
1. I’ve just been diagnosed with COPD. What does that mean? COPD or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis. It is largely caused by smoking, but it can also be caused by second-hand smoke, toxins in the environment that you breathe in, and genetics. COPD develops over time. In most cases, it is diagnosed in people over 40 years of age. Someone with COPD may
5 minutes with Dr. Chris Carlsten
What’s the focus of your research? Our research focuses on the relationship between air pollution and public health. We look at how pollution particles affect the way genes are expressed in the body. One of our most recent studies demonstrated how two hours of exposure to diesel exhaust fumes can lead to fundamental health-related changes in biology by switching some genes on, while switching
5 minutes with Dr. Pat Camp
What is pulmonary rehabilitation? Pulmonary rehabilitation is a program of exercise, education, and support to help patients with chronic lung conditions learn to breathe—and function—at the highest level possible. A typical program lasts six to eight weeks. We spend about half the time on physical exercise, and the rest providing information and tips about living with a lung condition and getting
Top five reasons why you should consider testing your home for radon
Are you safe enough from radon? No area in Alberta — and across Canada — is considered radon free, confirmed Health Canada. A 2012 cross-Canada survey shows 6.9 per cent of Canadians live in homes with radon above the acceptable limit. The Canadian Radon Guideline is 200 Becquerels/cubic metre, but the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency approves 148 Bq/m 3 and World Health Organization
Colleen’s Story: On January 1, 1992 I made the decision to quit
I started smoking when I was 15 due to the stress I felt I was under. As I look back, I realize I had little support or education to help me cope with family changes, deaths in the family, plus the challenges of being a teenager. In the 1970’s smoking was the thing to do. I watched my older brothers and sisters smoke, so one day I tried a cigarette myself. My smoking continued throughout high
Rosalind’s story: I knew I could quit for weeks at a time… however I always ended up being drawn back to smoking
As a social smoker for over 35 years, I always assumed quitting was something I could do any time I wanted. I knew I could quit for weeks at a time while traveling, and while I was pregnant I quit for 2 years, however I always ended up being drawn back to smoking. That all changed when my dad had a heart attack. Following the heart attack, a series of tests where performed eventually leading to