Advantages of spirometry to differentiate asthma from COPD

Asthma and COPD are clearly differentiated… on paper. But in real life, diagnosing one or the other isn’t as straightforward as the books say. It is very common for patients to present symptoms that are very common in both diseases. The study “Diagnostic differentiation between asthma and COPD in primary care using lung function testing” […]

Relationship between decline in lung function and cardiovascular risk

By América Torres Photo Lifestyle memory / Freepik The decline in lung function begins around the age of 25: an annual FEV1 drop between 25 and 30 ml is considered normal. Among influencing factors we can include smoking, environmental and behavioral factors and genetics. While this is a well-known predictor of COPD and is associated […]

 How to choose the best EKG for your needs

Author América Torres When deciding to invest in an electrocardiograph, the first step is, of course, obtaining one that is manufactured by a reliable, well-known, reputable company. Whether you are getting an EKG for the first time, or you want to replace an outdated device, there are some aspects you must consider to make a […]

Impact of COVID-19 on exercise pathophysiology

Hospital survival in case of severe COVID-19 involvement is often associated with residual fibrotic lung abnormalities, evidenced by pulmonary CT at the time of discharge, and lung function tests. Given the severe multisystemic damage typically suffered by these patients, several forms of pulmonary vascular impact (macro and micro embolism or inflammatory endothelitis with neo angiogenesis) […]

Endotypical COPD treatment

COPD and its exacerbations are a serious health problem. COPD is the third leading cause of death worldwide. According to a study entitled "Recent advances in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease pathogenesis: from disease mechanisms to precision medicine", so far, treatments focus on improving symptoms and preventing exacerbations, as there are no treatments that cure the […]

Spirometry, an underestimated test

Although dyspnea is a common reason for consulting a primary care physician (1 – 4% of all visits) pulmonary function tests are often overlooked and seldom performed. According to a study tested and evaluated during a pilot trial (Epidemiological Study in General Practice – SESAM 2) these were the actions in % taken by practitioners […]