When Mike Irwin was 49 years old, he received shocking news that explained the difficulties he had breathing. His diagnosis of bronchiestasis in 2010 started a 5-year journey of lost breath, doctors’ visits and surgeries.
“I just kept getting sicker and sicker and it was a struggle to get through the day. And nothing seemed to work. I had more than one bronchoscopy,” Mike said. Two years after his diagnosis, Mike had his first procedure.
Hello! My name is Jacqui and I feel very privileged that you have taken the time to join me on my journey with Pulmonary Fibrosis.
The legalization of cannabis has been permeating Canadian conversations for couple of years. Now, it seems that the future of legal cannabis is just around the corner. The main thing we know about cannabis is there are many questions that have yet to be answered. The Lung Association is working to ensure more research is done on the long term effects of cannabis.
Many of the harms can be associated with smoking cannabis as evidence suggests that frequent cannabis use can lead to chronic bronchitis later in life. The best thing to do if you want to use cannabis is not to smoke it.
Spring is a great opportunity to clean out our closets, revisit resolutions that may have been forgotten and give your lungs a breath of fresh air. This April, add air quality to your spring cleaning list and take a moment to make your surroundings better for your lungs. Trust us – they will thank you.
Breathing is easy when it’s easy to breathe. But that’s not always the case. No matter where you live, you likely experience some level of air pollution. This can be caused by traffic, smoke or seasonal smog, among other contaminants. But how does it affect your health?
Just because you have asthma doesn’t mean you can’t be active — many professional athletes have it. But before you hit the gym or a field, it’s important to understand your body, your disease and how to manage it. Your asthma plan, developed with your healthcare provider, is a great start to getting your asthma under control.
Valentine’s Day is upon us and with it the hordes of chocolates, cards and flowers. But we want to challenge you to celebrate a little differently.
Our ability to breathe is often taken for granted until it’s compromised. When wintertime illnesses take the air out of your lungs, it helps to know what you have so you can treat it accordingly. While your healthcare provider is the best source of information for your specific disease, here is a cheat sheet from The Lung Association to help you sort through the symptoms and get back to breathing.
Winter asthma tips
Cold winter air can irritate anyone’s lungs. But, if you have a lung condition such as asthma, the winter air may affect you even more. Cold air can cause the airways in your lungs to tighten up, making it more difficult to breathe.
Keeping your asthma under control can help to reduce your risks and help you stay active this winter. Exercise has many benefits for your lungs, your general health and for your mood.
Stay active this winter
Help your kids avoid the September spike in asthma symptoms
As summer winds down, many parents start gearing up for the school year. That usually means buying school supplies and longer pants. But for parents of children with asthma, getting ready for school should also include taking steps to protect their kids from the “September Spike” – the sharp rise in kids’ asthma symptoms that happens soon after school begins.
What is to blame for the September Spike in asthma symptoms?
