BETHESDA, Md. (UPI) — The U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases says incidents of non-tuberculosis mycobacteria lung disease are increasing across the nation.

Researchers said non-tuberculous mycobacteria are environmental organisms found in both water and soil that can cause severe pulmonary disease in humans — and a large study indicates the disease is increasing.

A research team led by epidemiologists from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health, analyzed hospital discharge records of patients in 11 states whose combined total population represents 42 percent of the country. They said they reviewed database records spanning 1998 to 2005 and identified more than 16,475 hospitalizations associated with non-tuberculosis mycobacteria in people without AIDS.

Before the widespread availability of combination antiretroviral therapy, pulmonary disease was a common opportunistic infection among people with AIDS. The study was limited to patients not suffering from AIDS.

Researchers said of the 11 states studied, Florida, New York and California had 62 percent of the pulmonary hospitalizations.

Study results show while overall prevalence of non-tuberculosis mycobacteria lung disease is higher in women, prevalence increases for both sexes in the fifth or sixth decade of life, the scientists said.

The research appears in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases.

Copyright 2009 by United Press International

Sourced and published by Henry Sapiecha 7th Oct 2009

Really value & respect the term  - Took his the last breath.

Having a lung disease (also called a pulmonary disease) is never an easy thing to cope with.

Living with COPD, or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, can be especially challenging.

Our lungs are very important to healthy life and function. If you have Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or COPD, you know that breathing doesn’t always come easily.

COPD is basically a combination of two other respiratory diseases- emphysema and bronchitis. With these pulmonary diseases, just like with COPD, the flow of air through the lungs and bronchial tubes is blocked. This is usually a permanent condition which gets worse over time, making it very difficult for the sufferer to breathe.

Causes of COPD

The number one cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the United States is smoking. Statistics show that nearly 15% of smokers will develop COPD. Cigarette smoke damages the lungs in several ways. One of the best ways to prevent COPD or to prevent it from getting worse is to stop smoking immediately and try to avoid being around smoke since the exact effects of second hand smoke on COPD are not completely known.

There are other things that can cause or contribute to COPD as well. Indoor and outdoor air pollution can cause or worsen COPD. Stoves used for cooking as well as silica and similar pollutants are dangerous as well. Another cause of COPD is a rare genetic condition called AAT. This causes about 1% of the cases of COPD each year.

COPD Treatment and COPD Management

In most cases, a certain amount of COPD management is possible even if the disease can’t be fully cured.

Certain types of COPD therapy that can help reduce obstruction of the airways, making it easier for you to breathe normally again. There are many medications that can assist and even reverse many of the symptoms of COPD. The earlier you seek treatment for your condition, the better your chances of reversing damage.

If you have COPD, it is important that you learn as much as you can about what caused it and what type you have. Get COPD help by working together with your doctor and talking about your past, medical history, family history and symptoms. Working together with your doctor, you can find the best plan of treatment for your COPD. Untreated COPD will most certainly always worsen.

Sourced and published by Henry Sapiecha 24th August 2009