Dr. Neil, Author at The Good Doctor's Guide to Colds & Flu

December 9, 2020

Are women more susceptible to COPD?

QUESTION: Are women more susceptible to COPD? ANSWER: Studies have shown that women smokers have lower lung function rates than men who have smoked the same number of pack years. Research has also demonstrated that women have a greater degree of airway of irritability. Doctors have suggested that a woman’s naturally…

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December 8, 2020

Can Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs (Statins) Protect against the Flu?

An intriguing study out of Holland suggested that cholesterol-lowering statins may decrease the complications of influenza. Researchers found that people who took statins had 30% less pneumonia and more than a 50% decrease in deaths from all causes. These benefits were apparent in all people on statins irrespective of age,…

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Ask Dr Neil COPD

December 7, 2020

Does COPD increase my risk of developing lung cancer?

QUESTION: Does COPD increase my risk of developing lung cancer? ANSWER: Sadly this is true. We often find lung cancer accidentally when COPD patients develop pneumonia. We do an X-ray and find a lung cancer nodule. These days, a CT scan can pick up lung cancer when it is in early…

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December 6, 2020

The No-Sneeze Kitty

One of the most difficult conversations I can have with my patients is the role of their pets in their asthma and allergies. Cherished dogs and cats are truly part of the family and the need to place them out of the home for health reasons is emotionally painful. Now…

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Ask Dr Neil COPD

December 5, 2020

If I don’t inhale, will smoking be less dangerous?

QUESTION: If I don’t inhale, will smoking be less dangerous? ANSWER: This is a dangerous fallacy. The smoke from cigarettes still affects the upper airways. The mouth, throat, and nose can all be sites of cancers. Even though you don’t make a conscious effort to inhale, some of the smoke will…

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December 4, 2020

Stay Calm to Breathe Easier

In a study from Veterans Affairs, men who are chronically angry were found to have reduced lung function. Hostile men had lower lung function at the start of the study and continued to lose lung function at a faster rate as time went by. Just why anger and hostility affect…

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Ask Dr Neil COPD

December 3, 2020

I haven’t smoked for ten years. Can I still get COPD?

QUESTION: I haven’t smoked for ten years. Can I still get COPD? ANSWER: Unfortunately, yes. However, it is much less likely. It depends on how much damage there was before you gave up smoking, how long you smoked, and on the number of pack-years that you have accumulated. It also depends…

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December 2, 2020

Standard Flu Treatments No Longer Effective

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) now recommends against the use of two well-known anti-viral agents for treatment or prevention of the flu this year. Doctors report widespread viral resistance to amantadine and rimantadine. The two newer antivirals, oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza) are still effective and recommended to prevent…

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Ask Dr Neil Colds and Flu

December 1, 2020

How can I tell if it’s a cold or allergy?

QUESTION: How can I tell if it’s a cold or allergy? ANSWER: A cold comes on slowly over six to eight hours. It often begins with a tickle in the throat. Sneezing starts and you begin to feel chilled, congested, and achy. Allergies start suddenly with sneezing and congestion. Body aches,…

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Ask Dr Neil Colds and Flu

November 27, 2020

Can vitamin C prevent a cold?

QUESTION: Can vitamin C prevent a cold? ANSWER: In a word, no. Well-designed clinical trials have not shown that vitamin C can prevent colds. However, the same studies indicate that vitamin C may reduce the length of the symptoms and discomfort.

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