Blog

Breathing Towards Victory: How Olympians Use their Lungs

By Marketa Stastna on 2016-08-05

As the Olympic torch arrives in Rio, elite athletes will get ready for performances of a lifetime. During the days that follow, we will hold our breath as we watch our athletes perform, exhale with relief as the athletes finish a feat and shout in exhilaration as medals are hung around the necks.

But as we breathe together with our athletes, our athletes breathe even deeper. Elite athletes must use their lungs more effectively than any of us.

Season’s Sneezings : April showers bring May flowers

By Jaimie Peters on 2016-05-16

For most people, spring time is a time of the year when we shed winter coats and breathe in the long-forgotten smells of budding flowers and trees. But almost a quarter of Canadians suffers from allergies in the spring that make this time of the year difficult to enjoy.

Jaimie Peters is a Registered Nurse and Certified Respiratory Educator with the Canadian Lung Association’s Helpline. She shares her tips on dealing with seasonal allergies.

 

What causes springtime allergies?

Love at first breath

By Marketa Stastna on 2016-05-11

Every May, we take a moment to appreciate the mothers in our lives. One of the first miracles of motherhood begins even before the baby is born. Let’s think of everything that is programmed to happen as the baby takes her first breath.

The lungs of a fetus are at the ready, but benched for action during pregnancy. So, the puzzle is: how does a fetus get oxygen while bypassing its lungs?

First, let’s recap how adult circulation works and the role that lungs play.

Got milk; need answers: New research looks at breast milk in asthma prevention

By Marketa Stastna on 2016-05-03

Imagine a nutritional food source that gives your baby exactly what she needs, when she needs it. Breast milk is just that. It provides your baby with nutrients, helps fight off infections and changes as the baby’s needs change. And yet, it might have even more benefits than that. Dr. Meghan Azad is a Winnipeg-based researcher and a recipient of Canadian Respiratory Research Network ERLI award, who is committed to learning just what other super powers this nourishment holds.

Respecting tobacco: ceremonial vs. commercial tobacco use?

Ceremonial tobacco vs commercial tobacco. Is there a difference? Yes, a big difference.  Tobacco has been used traditionally by most Aboriginal cultures for thousands of years.  First Nations and Métis use tobacco for ceremony, healing and giving thanks, while commercial cigarettes serve an entirely different purpose. In fact they’ve been designed to be highly addictive and will make you sick.

My Experience With Lung Cancer – Epilogue

By Brian Graham, former president and CEO, The Lung Association - Saskatchewan on 2016-03-23

On March 17, 2016, 26 months after receiving her diagnosis of lung cancer, Dr. Terry-Nan Tannenbaum passed away. The courage with which she struggled against lung cancer is evident from the six instalments of her blog.

The Lung Association was truly blessed to have a friend such as Dr. Terry-Nan Tannenbaum.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: The top five questions (and answers) from The Lung Association’s Lung Health Helpline

By Amy Henderson on 2015-11-18

1. I’ve just been diagnosed with COPD. What does that mean?

COPD or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis. It is largely caused by smoking, but it can also be caused by second-hand smoke, toxins in the environment that you breathe in, and genetics.

COPD develops over time. In most cases, it is diagnosed in people over 40 years of age. Someone with COPD may not realize they are becoming more short of breath until it becomes very hard to do simple tasks like walking up stairs.

Red hair, red scooter, a real attitude, and COPD. Meet Trish Verrier.

By Tracey Jirak on 2015-11-18

Yesterday I met a remarkable person while visiting the COPD clinic at St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver. Meet Trish Verrier.

To see this vibrant 65 year old with hair as red as her scooter and a smile that lights up the room, one doesn’t detect any signs of the sadness or pain she’s endured. Nor does one hear many complaints – which says a lot considering her very serious, and sometimes scary, lung condition. I had to learn more.

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