“It has not been very clear what causes the disease and there has been no therapy to stop or reverse lung destruction in emphysema,” said Weissman. “There have really been no new concepts about therapy in the last 20 years.”
He went on to speculate that lung conditions including chronic bronchitis and emphysema could become the third-greatest cause of death worldwide by the year 2020.
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This, of course, was stated before COVID-19 spread and thousands of people around the world needed ventilators.
Now, with powerful mouse models of COPD, Weissman and colleagues provide evidence that changes to the pulmonary blood vessels and the development of high blood pressure precede the development of emphysema.
Earlier this year, DJ and one half of the legendary rap duo, DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince, Jeff revealed on social media that he himself was feeling symptoms of coronavirus as he recovers from pneumonia.
In his most recent tweet, he complained about feeling ill for several weeks.
The producer told fans on Instagram to take the virus seriously – although he did not say if he was tested for Covid-19 – and revealed he lost his sense of smell and taste, one of the symptoms of the respiratory illness.
Writing on his Instagram story, the DJ said: “Pls say a prayer for all the sick… it’s a lot more than you know!!
“I’m recovering from pneumonia in both my lungs…,” he continues. “I lost my sense of smell and taste which is a main sign of the virus. I would NOT be here if not for my guardian angel of a wife! [sic]”
On March 7 said, he wrote on Twitter: “I’ll be happy when I’m home and I can cough freely…LOL.”
If you’re interested in learning more about how to strengthen your lungs, here’s a list of breathing exercises you can do.
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There are breathing exercises that, like aerobic exercises, can strengthen the lungs to relieve asthma symptoms or, in some cases, even prevent the recurrence of asthma attacks.
With enough practice and retraining of the lungs, it’s possible that these exercises can also reduce the risk of an asthma attack.