Blog
Forest Fires and Lung Health
Forest fires are often a concern in Canada, especially during dry, hot summers. People all over Canada may be affected by the smoke from forest fires. The Canadian Lung Association urges those with lung disease such as asthma and COPD to monitor their breathing and avoid exposure to smoke. If breathing problems develop, refer to your action plan or call your health-care provider. What type of
Wintertime Air Quality and the AQHI
Many of us associate poor air quality days with smog that tends to build up in the summer. Did you know that we also experience poor air quality days in the winter? Smog can occur throughout the year, but the composition of the smog changes with the seasons. In the summer, smog is mainly composed of ground-level ozone (a harmful pollutant) and may also consist of small suspended particles
Jacqui’s Journey with IPF: Whoopi!
My doctor started me on oxygen therapy a year ago because I had low oxygen saturation levels on exertion. Shortness of breath, coughing, struggling to catch my breath, fatigue and weakness were other symptoms I suffered with. The oxygen supply company came and set me up with the following supplies : Oxygen concentrator that stays inside our home. Large liquid oxygen tank. The tank is filled once a
Beyond the Rain
Mould is a trigger for asthma and asthma-related symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. When you are exposed to mould, the smooth muscle that wraps around the airways tightens. Mould also causes inflammation and increased production of phlegm, headaches and fatigue, and allergic reactions. For those who have asthma or vulnerable populations such as children
Sleep Apnea in People Age 65 & Older
Poor sleep is NOT a consequence of aging. Sleep disorders go untreated because not enough doctors ask about sleep and people figure it’s because they are ‘getting old’. According to a StatsCan 2008 Canadian Survey of Experiences with Primary Health Care among people age 65 and older, 73% live with a chronic disease: 32% of those have one chronic disease, 24% have two and 17% have three or more
Reducing asthma triggers in the classroom
As a teacher, Heather Crysdale knows that asking for help is important. That’s why she sought out The Lung Association’s help to learn how to manage her asthma better. Heather worked with Rosario Holmes, a certified asthma educator with The Lung Association in Ottawa, to learn more about her asthma medications and how to use her inhalers appropriately. Rosario explained to Heather about how to use