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Smoke inhalation, Forest Fires and Swine Flu respiratory risks

September 6, 2009

 

Lungs are a big part of my job.  As an anesthesiologist I use an anesthesia machine to breathe for patients undergoing surgery, administering anesthetic  gases  into the patients lungs.  Smoke from fire contains toxic gases plus particulate matter that injures the entire respiratory system. When I saw the pictures of monstrous clouds of billowing smoke over Los Angeles it made me wonder what are the consequences of breathing that air. What are the risks of smoke inhalation to people with heart diseases or respiratory diseases,  like asthma?  Does it predispose to influenza complications? … Continue Reading

SLEEP: Every Body Craves A Good Nights Sleep

April 12, 2009

SLEEP: Every Body Craves A Good Nights Sleep

Whoever dreamed up such a weird word for the wonderfully restorative process called sleep. Anyway I am about to begin a series of posts on sleep,covering  such topics as anesthesia and sleep apnea,  medications like melatonin, circadian rhythms,  as well as essential oils and sleep.

Every body craves sleep.

Sleep rejuvenates the body-mind connection. Sleep has very complex neurological, hormonal, and chemical physiology. The sleep hormone melatonin works on GABA receptors. There are
specialists, often pulmonologists, who operate sleep laboratories to determine
if insomnia and other sleep … Continue Reading