New research has revealed the devastating personal and financial impact that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can have on the working population. The findings, which are to be presented today (25 September 2011) at the European Respiratory Society's Annual Congress in Amsterdam, provides new perspectives on the personal and social impact the condition can have on the 45-65 year age group... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Drinking alcohol in moderate quantities can reduce the risk of asthma, according to Danish researchers. The study, which was presented at the European Respiratory Society's Annual Congress in Amsterdam, found that drinking 1-6 units of alcohol a week could reduce the risk of developing the condition. The research examined 19,349 twins between the ages of 12 and 41 yrs of age. All participants completed a questionnaire at the start and end of the study to compare alcohol intake with the risk of developing asthma over 8 yrs... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Treatment with the calcium-sensitizing drug levosimendan may be effective in improving muscle function in patients with respiratory muscle weakness, which often accompanies chronic diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and congestive heart failure, according to researchers in the Netherlands, who studied the effects of the drug on healthy volunteers. The drug, which is normally prescribed in patients with acute heart failure, increases the sensitivity of muscle tissue to calcium, improving the muscle's ability to contract... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Belly fat, known clinically as central obesity, has been linked to the development of asthma in a new study. The findings, which were presented at the European Respiratory Society's Annual Congress in Amsterdam, have shown central obesity as a risk factor for the disease. Excess abdominal fat has been linked with a number of health effects, such as diabetes and heart disease, but there has been little focus on its link with lung disease. Previous studies have found a link between asthma and body mass index (BMI), which is a marker for overall obesity... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)