Guidelines for Preventing Opportunistic Infections Among Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Recipients

Chronic Lung Disease Rates Increase In Louisiana, Despite National Rates Remaining The Same

In 2021, 138,825 people died from COPD, making it the sixth overall leading cause of death and the fifth disease-related cause of death behind heart disease, cancer, COVID-19, accidents and stroke, according to state health data.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease refers to a large group of lung diseases that interfere with regular breathing. Symptoms of COPD include a long-term cough, shortness of breath, tiredness and frequent lung infections or wheezing. There is no cure for COPD.

From 2011 to 2021, prevalence of COPD among adults remained stable overall, decreasing nationally from 6.1% prevalence in 2011 to 6.0% prevalence in 2021, state health data shows.

In Louisiana, however, the rate of COPD cases increased. In 2021, approximately 297,000 people had COPD in the state, according to the Louisiana Department of Health.

Twenty states had decreased rates of COPD prevalence with Hawaii, New Mexico, Massachusetts, Maryland and New York as the greatest decreases in COPD prevalence from 2011 to 2021.

Two states — Michigan and Texas — remained the same from 2011 and 2021. The rest of the 27 states all had increased rates of COPD prevalence from 2011 to 2021.

Louisiana and West Virginia are the two standouts with a 2.4% increase in prevalence of COPD in Louisiana and a 2.5% increase in prevalence in West Virginia.

Mississippi increased 1.6%, North Dakota increased 1.5%, Arkansas increased 1.3% and New Jersey increased 1.1%.

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How Breathing Exercises Can Prevent Chronic Respiratory Infections

Chronic respiratory infections, like bronchitis or pneumonia, can make life difficult, especially for people with conditions such as asthma, COPD, or weakened immune systems.

These infections often lead to coughing, difficulty breathing, and frequent doctor visits.

But did you know that something as simple as breathing exercises might help protect your lungs and improve your overall health?

Breathing exercises are specific techniques designed to strengthen the lungs, improve airflow, and reduce the risk of infections.

They are commonly used in practices like yoga, physical therapy, or pulmonary rehabilitation.

Research shows that these exercises not only improve lung function but can also reduce inflammation in the respiratory system, which is a key factor in preventing infections.

A growing body of scientific evidence supports the benefits of breathing exercises for lung health. Studies show that regular practice can improve how well your lungs work, reduce mucus build-up, and lower the chances of harmful bacteria taking hold.

For example, a study published in the journal Chest found that people with chronic respiratory conditions who practiced breathing exercises had fewer flare-ups of their symptoms and were less likely to develop infections.

Similarly, another study in Respiratory Medicine reported that deep breathing techniques improved oxygen flow and helped clear trapped mucus, a common breeding ground for bacteria.

The way breathing exercises help is quite simple. By focusing on slow, controlled breaths, you allow your lungs to fully expand and contract.

This movement helps push out stale air and bring in fresh oxygen, which your body needs to stay healthy. Better oxygen flow also strengthens your immune system, giving your body a better chance to fight off infections before they take hold.

Breathing exercises are especially helpful for people with conditions like asthma or COPD, where mucus and inflammation can make breathing difficult.

A study in The European Respiratory Journal highlighted how exercises like pursed-lip breathing or diaphragmatic breathing helped reduce symptoms and improved the overall quality of life for participants.

These techniques train the lungs to work more efficiently, even during a flare-up, making it easier to breathe and recover faster.

Another key benefit of breathing exercises is stress reduction. When we are stressed, we tend to take shallow, fast breaths, which can strain the lungs and weaken the immune system over time.

Controlled breathing helps calm the nervous system, lower stress hormones, and create a sense of relaxation. This is particularly important because stress is known to make the body more vulnerable to infections.

The best part is that breathing exercises are easy to learn and cost nothing. You don't need any special equipment or training—just a quiet space and a few minutes a day.

Simple techniques like belly breathing, where you breathe deeply into your abdomen, or humming exercises, where you exhale while humming, can be practiced at home. These small daily habits can make a big difference in lung health over time.

Of course, breathing exercises are not a cure-all. For people with serious chronic conditions or recurrent respiratory infections, they are most effective when combined with other treatments like medication, a healthy diet, and regular exercise. However, they are a powerful tool that can help prevent problems before they start.

In a world where respiratory infections are a major health concern, taking a few minutes each day to focus on your breath could be one of the simplest ways to protect yourself. Science backs it up, and it's something we all can do. So why not start today? By breathing better, you can live healthier and give your lungs the care they deserve.

If you care about lungs, please read studies about a review of COPD-friendly foods for lung health, and can Vitamin C and E help fight lung cancer.

For more health information, please see recent studies about how diet influences lung health, and these vegetables could benefit your lung health.

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