Scientists Say Biomarker Shows Promise in COPD Treatment

(Newswire.net — February 7, 2022) Orlando, FL — The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute reveals that COPD affects about 16 million people in the U.S. What makes it all the more alarming is that it is the fourth top cause of death in the country.

It is important to note that over 65 million people have moderate or severe COPD worldwide.  In 2015, it has been found that 3.2 million died from COPD on a global scale. While the rates of this condition increase, it appears that many are left undiagnosed and untreated.

Experts warn against smoking as well as other culprits of the condition, like exposure to harmful pollutants. These pollutants particularly include fumes, chemicals, and dust.

Due to these triggers, individuals with this condition usually find it more difficult than normal to breathe. This happens because of the blockage in the airflow in the body. When it develops, it leads to symptoms like difficulty exercising, coughing, and shortness of breath.

Doctors have been trying to take some measures to identify the condition in its earliest stages, which is when it is most treatable. 

A landmark study was carried out and funded by the NHLBI, an international team of researchers led by Michigan Medicine.

In this research, the investigators found a noninvasive technique that has the ability to measure lung density during inhalation and exhalation. This technique is called parametric response mapping or PRM. 

The researchers suggest that the PRM may aid in identifying the small airway damage common in the early stages of COPD.

The findings were published in the recent issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

More studies are still being carried out to learn more about COPD and how it can be properly, permanently cured. The good news is that in some studies, it has been found certain natural remedies do work wonders in improving and healing the lungs.

A natural remedy called milk thistle has been found to be potentially helpful for COPD. In a study, its anti-inflammatory effects have been found to significantly reduce inflammation in mice exposed to cigarette smoke.

Researchers say its inflammation-fighting benefits aided in reducing the thickening of the airway walls, high levels of inflammatory cell infiltration, and obstruction of their airways. 

Further, the same study has shown milk thistle also worked in significantly reducing the secretion of pro-inflammatory signaling molecules (cytokines) such as TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, and IL-8.

There are also other studies showing the COPD-fighting benefits of milk thistle. Today, there are many who turn to its use via supplementation due to its disease-fighting effects. It can be obtained through the use of formulas like Divine Bounty Milk Thistle (http://amazon.com/Milk-Thistle-Supplement-Standardized-Extract/dp/B01LWI4A51).