Manual on meat inspection for developing countries
Vitamin 'cure' For Emphysema
A vitamin found in eggs and milk could hold the key to curing the potentially fatal lung disease emphysema, new research has revealed.
British scientists have found that retinoic acid, a derivative of vitamin A, can reverse damage caused to the lungs by the previously incurable disease.
Tests on mice have found that damaged lungs have been repaired to normal by the compound, which is already used to treat chronic acne.
Trials are now being carried out to see if it could have similar success if used on humans.
Emphysema is one of the most common respiratory diseases in Britain and causes progressive damage to the lungs, which can eventually kill. There is currently no cure.
Early symptoms include breathlessness but sufferers can be left gasping for breath and reliant on oxygen.
It usually affects older people and is generally the result of long-term damage to the lungs caused by smoking or exposure to other harmful substances.
Professor Malcolm Maden, of the Medical Research Centre for Developmental Neurobiology at King's College, London, said his team's research held out "great hope" for the development of a treatment for emphysema in humans.
He said the retinoic acid compound worked on tissue cells in the lungs, causing them to regenerate.
Emphysema begins with the destruction of tiny air sacs (alveoli), which creates permanent "holes" in the walls of the lungs.
As the air sacs are destroyed the lungs are able to transfer less and less oxygen to the bloodstream.
Prof Maden said that during the tests on mice his compound made the alveoli grow back again until they returned to normal levels.
He said: "We saw quite dramatic results. It is potentially hopeful for emphysema sufferers, and for premature babies who often suffer from loss of alveoli because of treatments given to stimulate lung growth."
Clinical trials have begun in America to see if the treatment could be used on humans.
A spokeswoman from the British Lung Foundation gave the research a cautious welcome.
She said: "The BLF welcomes any interesting developments in research which may offer new options to patients with COPD (an umbrella term for chronic bronchitis and emphysema), a severely debilitating condition.
"However, the BLF would like to examine this research to understand fully whether this might be a viable option in the future.
"Currently, COPD is the fifth biggest killer worldwide and is the only major cause of death increasing in the UK."
The research was based on a chemical compound of retinoic acid taken from Vitamin A, and not from a dietary intake of the substance.
David Lynch Shared Emphysema Diagnosis Months Before His Death: Symptoms, Causes And More
This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Contact a qualified medical professional before engaging in any physical activity, or making any changes to your diet, medication or lifestyle.
Director David Lynch's family announced his death via social media. (Photo by Prima Barol/Anadolu via Getty Images)
David Lynch, the 78-year-old visionary director of Twin Peaks and Blue Velvet, has died. Lynch's family announced his death in a Jan. 16 post on social media, writing there's "a big hole in the world now that he's no longer with us."
Although no cause of death or further details were given, the news comes months after Lynch announced he had been living with emphysema. In an August 2024 interview with Sight and Sound magazine, Lynch said he developed the chronic lung condition from "smoking so long" and that the diagnosis had greatly impacted his ability to direct.
Newsletter: The Yodel Trusted news and daily delights, right in your inbox
See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories.
"I'm homebound whether I like it or not," he said. Lynch, who directed his last feature film in 2006, said his illness had made him cautious of his health. "It would be very bad for me to get sick."
On Aug. 5, Lynch shared a statement via X (formerly Twitter) about his emphysema diagnosis from "many years of smoking."
"I have to say that I enjoyed smoking very much, and I do love tobacco. The smell of it, lighting cigarettes on fire, smoking them. But there is a price to pay for this enjoyment, and the price for me is emphysema," he wrote. "I have now quit smoking for over two years. Recently, I had many tests and the good news is that I am in excellent shape except for emphysema. I am filled with happiness, and I will never retire."
What is emphysema and how limiting is its diagnosis? Keep reading to learn more about the disease, risk factors and treatment options.
What is emphysema?Emphysema is a form of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a progressive lung disease that causes airways to become swollen and blocked. It's an umbrella term used to describe various lung conditions, including chronic bronchitis.
Emphysema develops over time and involves the gradual damage of tiny air sacs in your lungs called alveoli. The damage eventually causes these air sacs to rupture, reducing the surface area that allows oxygen to move through the bloodstream.
An illustration of compromised lung function due to smoking. (Photo via Getty Images)
What are the symptoms of emphysema?According to Cleveland Clinic, fatigue and gradual shortness of breath are some of the first symptoms of emphysema. However, many people don't notice symptoms until the disease has destroyed 50 per cent or more of their lung tissue.
Other symptoms can include:
Long-term coughing, also known as smoker's cough
Shortness of breath during light physical activity
Abnormal mucus colour (yellow or green)
Constant feeling of not being able to get enough air
The main cause of emphysema is long-term exposure to airborne irritants like tobacco smoke, marijuana smoke, air pollution or chemical fumes and dust. In some rare instances, emphysema can be caused by Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, an inherited protein deficiency that can cause lung or liver damage.
Long-term exposure to smoke is one of the main causes of emphysema. (Photo via Getty Images)
How is emphysema diagnosed?Different tests can diagnose emphysema at different phases. For example, a chest X-ray can help diagnose moderate or severe cases of emphysema, while a CT scan can be beneficial in diagnosing early stages of emphysema since it provides a more detailed image of the lungs.
Health-care providers can order pulmonary function tests to measure the function of your lungs, blood tests or an arterial blood gas test to measure the levels of oxygen and carbon monoxide in your blood.
How do you treat emphysema?According to Yale Medicine, lung damage from emphysema is irreversible, and the disease is considered incurable. The main goal is to preserve lung function through lifestyle changes, medications and, in some instances, surgery.
Emphysema is considered incurable. Preserving lung function is top-of-mind for patients and their healthcare providers. (Photo via Getty Images)
People who smoke or vape are encouraged to quit and avoid second-hand exposure to smoke, chemical fumes and dust. Exercise can also help strengthen the cardiovascular system to compensate for any respiratory defects.
Medications can help dilate the airways to improve breathing, while antibiotics can help manage breathing difficulties when bacterial chest infections occur. Some people with emphysema may require supplemental oxygen, surgery and, in some situations, a lung transplant.
Let us know what you think by commenting below and tweeting @YahooStyleCA! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
The 6 Signs Of Terrifying Lung Disease That Left Director David Lynch 'unable To Walk Across A Room' Before His Death
LEGENDARY director David Lynch passed away at the age of 78, after revealing he'd suffered from a terrifying lung disease that left him barely able to "walk across a room".
The filmmaker captivated and horrified audiences alike with bizarre and surreal works like Blue Velvet, Mulholland Drive and Twin Peaks - and was rarely seen without a cigarette in hand.
5
David Lynch passed away at the age of 78 after battling emphysemaCredit: AP
5
David Lynch directing his 1990 film Wild at HeartCredit: GettyHis smoking habit was almost lifelong, as Lynch began smoking at the tender age of eight.
In an interview with People in November last year, the director described smoking as "a big important part of my life".
"I loved the smell of tobacco, the taste of tobacco. I loved lighting cigarettes. It was part of being a painter and a filmmaker for me."
He tried to quit many times as the years went by, sensing that his habit would come back to "bite" him.
Read more on lung diseaseAnd bite it him it did, as Lynch was diagnosed with emphysema, a chronic lung condition caused by damage to tiny air sacs in the lungs called alveoli.
Healthy lungs are made up up of millions alveoli with elastic walls that take oxygen into the body and expel carbon dioxide, a waste gas.
Cigarette smoke is the major cause of emphysema, according to Asthma + Lung UK, gradually damaging the walls of these air sacs, making them break apart and merge into each other, creating holes in the lung.
But pollution, dust, chemical fumes and even vaping, can also destroy lung tissue, Cleveland Clinic notes.
LESSON FOR EVERYONE
I saw my teeth looked unusual watching myself on TV - it saved my life
FOOD HORROR
Boy left blind after eating habits saw him eat nothing but chicken nuggets
CLUES
Waist size 'determines cancer risk' - how do YOU measure against danger threshold?
THIN FIZZY
Popular drink could help you lose weight & burn sugar, bombshell research showsPeople with emphysema can find it increasingly hard to breath, as damaged parts of the lung become baggy and trap air.
As they breathe in, the damaged part of the lung inflates more and gets in the way of the healthier lung parts, increasing in the amount of air inside the chest.
What happens to your body when you stop smokingLynch described the everyday agony of his condition in his interview with People.
"It's tough living with emphysema," he shared.
"I can hardly walk across a room. It's like you're walking around with a plastic bag around your head."
Aside from making him rely on oxygen to move around, the disease also made him more vulnerable to picking up other respiratory diseases, keeping him homebound and robbing him of further opportunities to direct.
From symptoms to causes and treatment, here's everything you need to know about emphysema.
What are the symptoms of emphysema?Emphysema is a type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a group of lung conditions that cause breathing difficulties.
Data from 2022 shows that around 1.4 million people in the UK have been diagnosed with COPD and that the condition is responsible for about 30,000 deaths a year.
According to Cleveland Clinic, many people don't notice emphysema symptoms until the disease has destroyed half - or more - of their lung tissue.
Initial symptoms can include gradually worsening shortness of breath and tiredness.
Tips to quit smoking
The NHS recommends the following tips:
Over time, this can progress to:
The condition can also be responsible for symptoms such as:
5
Lynch was known for iconic films like Blue Velver, starring Isabella RosselliniCredit: Alamy
5
Mulholland Drive is another of his cult classic filmsCredit: Alamy Who's most at risk?Smokers are at higher risk of developing emphysema.
The likelihood of developing it increases the more you smoke and the longer you've smoked.
Lynch himself struggled to stub out the habit for two years after receiving his emphysema diagnosis.
He urged other smokers to use his own experience as an example: "You can quit these things that are going to end up killing you."
Some cases of emphysema are also caused by long-term exposure to harmful fumes, dust and air pollution.
Others can be more vulnerable to developing COPD due to their genes.
People with a deficiency in alpha-1-antitrypsin - a substance that protects your lungs - can go on to develop COPD, as their lungs are more vulnerable to damage.
Who was David Lynch?
Filmmaking giant David Lynch died at age 78, his family announced in a Facebook post on January 16, 2025
"It is with deep regret that we, his family, announce the passing of the man and the artist, David Lynch. We would appreciate some privacy at this time," the family statement said.
"There's a big hole in the world now that he's no longer with us. But, as he would say, 'Keep your eye on the donut and not on the hole.' It's a beautiful day with golden sunshine and blue skies all the way."
Who was David Lynch?
Lynch, who was born on January 20, 1946, transcended American filmmaking with his dark, surrealistic artistic vision with films such as Blue Velvet, Mulholland Drive, and the television show Twin Peaks.
His work blended elements of horror, film noir and a classical European surrealism.
Before he entered filmmaking, Lynch was revered as a painter.
He described his painting of of having to be "organic, violently done and crude" to "achieve that I try to let nature paint more than I paint."
Lynch transitioned his artistic mindset and style into filmmaking in the late 1970s, when he burst onto the scene with his 1977 feature Eraserhead - a horrific, black-humored work that became a disturbing fixture on the midnight movie circuit.
The film quickly took Hollywood and the international movie industry by storm, leading to him signing with Mel Brooks' production company.
The 1980 drama film The Elephant Man captivated audiences, earning eight Academy Award nominations.
Blue Velvet, a frightening hellride, combining film noir and psychological horror, took viewers through the underbelly of a small American town.
It earned Lynch a second Academy Award nomination for Best Director.
In the years after the film's release, Blue Velvet was named one of the greatest films of the 1980s.
In April 1990, Lynch worked alongside screenwriter Mark Frost to produce the ABC horror mystery show Twin Peaks.
The show centered on a detective who teams with a fellow FBI agent to investigate the murder of a homecoming queen.
Although Twin Peaks only ran for two seasons before its cancelation, the show gained a following in the years that followed and is often cited as one of the greatest TV shows of all time.
Lynch was married four times throughout his life and had three children, Jennifer, Austin Jack, and Riley.
In August 2024, he diagnosed with emphysema after a lifetime of smoking. Lynch disclosed that he was unable to leave his home because of the pulmonary disease.
How is emphysema treated?While your lungs can't heal once you've got emphysema, a number of treatments can help reduce symptoms and improve your quality of life.
This includes things like pulmonary rehabilitation, oxygen therapy and lung volume reduction procedures.
In severe cases, you may be in need of a lung transplant - but Asthma + Lung notes that it is a high-risk major operation only suitable for a small number of people and there are not enough lung donations currently available to meet demand.
There are several things you can do too to improve your quality of life.
For starters you should quit smoking if you haven't already.
Getting your yearly flu vaccine can also protect you against winter viruses and slash your risk of developing serious complications if you get ill - such as pneumonia or heart problems.
People living with long-term conditions like COPD can get the vaccine for free on the NHS.
Eating well and staying at a healthy weight can also help you manage your condition, as well as exercising to help you improve your breathing and learning breathing techniques to help you feel more in control of your breathing and cope when you get out of breath.
5
Lynch on set in 2006Credit: Alamy
Comments
Post a Comment