Dr. Rountree discusses laser therapy as an experimental treatment for COPD in mice. The podcast covers the prevalence and causes of COPD, the body's response in the lungs, and the impact of laser therapy on lung cells. Laser therapy shows promise in reducing lung inflammation and preserving lung structure in COPD patients.
Laser therapy has shown promise in reducing inflammation associated with COPD, offering hope for future treatment.
COPD is a major global health problem with significant costs, affecting both smokers and non-smokers.
Deep dives
COPD and Laser Therapy: Experimental Treatment for Lung Inflammation
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a progressive and potentially fatal lung disease that affects both smokers and non-smokers. Laser therapy has shown promise in reducing the inflammation associated with COPD, based on a mouse study. The study exposed mice to cigarette smoke and treated some with laser therapy. The mice that received laser therapy experienced reduced lung emphysema, airway remodeling, and chronic bronchitis symptoms compared to the control group. Laser therapy also contributed to maintaining the integrity and elasticity of lung structure. While the study is still experimental and not FDA cleared, it offers potential hope for COPD patients, especially those who struggle to quit smoking.
COPD: A Global Health Problem with Significant Healthcare Costs
COPD is a major global health problem, predicted to become the third leading cause of death worldwide. While cigarette smoke is commonly known as a cause of COPD, there is also a significant prevalence of the disease among non-smokers. COPD incurs estimated annual costs of $50 billion in the US, primarily due to exacerbations requiring hospitalization. COPD is characterized by irreversible airflow limitation and abnormal inflammatory response in the lungs. The disease not only leads to difficulty breathing but also increases the risk of secondary complications such as lung infections and pneumonia.
Laser Therapy's Effects on Inflammatory Response and Lung Structure
In the mouse study, laser therapy proved effective in controlling the chronic inflammatory response associated with COPD. Mice exposed to cigarette smoke and simultaneously treated with laser therapy demonstrated reduced lung inflammation. Moreover, the laser therapy contributed to maintaining the lung's structural integrity and elasticity. While these findings cannot be directly applied to humans, they provide important insights into the potential benefits of laser therapy for COPD patients, even in cases where smoking cessation is challenging. By controlling inflammation, laser therapy may help preserve lung function and structure, offering hope for the future treatment of COPD.
Dr. Rountree reviews a 2018 study on laser therapy for the experimental treatment of COPD on mice. What is COPD? Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-a progressive, debilitating life long disease. Laser therapy for COPD is not yet FDA approved. Follow along as Dr. Rountree explains the prevalence of COPD, factors that contribute to COPD, the body’s natural response in the lungs, and the effect of laser therapy on the cells of the lungs.
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