World No Tobacco Day 2026

World No Tobacco Day is celebrated on May 31st, highlighting the importance of understanding the real risks of smoking in all its forms.

Among these, the prevention of tobacco and electronic vaping device use stands out, thereby promoting healthy habits.

Quitting smoking is very beneficial; in fact, the effects are almost immediate: physical and mental health improve significantly in the first few weeks.

PROFESSIONAL HELP IN HEALTH CENTERS

QUIT SMOKING

Healthcare professionals are very aware of the initial difficulty involved in making that decision, so primary care health centers have mechanisms in place to help people quit smoking.

On the other hand, they have multiple support mechanisms available in primary care centers.

The goal is to create a society informed about the risks; for this reason, professionals are increasingly involved in directing their efforts towards prevention and education.

The future is in our hands

Tobacco use causes more than seven million deaths worldwide each year and is one of the greatest preventable health risks, but the lack of concrete figures hinders the full impact of this message.

However, we can state unequivocally that tobacco control and prevention saves lives.

Increasingly strict policies

Each year, stricter policies seem to increase the likelihood that people will try to quit smoking; warnings, higher taxes, and smoking bans in public spaces are the most common measures.

But ultimately, success depends on individual factors.

Quitting smoking is a personal decision

While it’s not solely a matter of willpower, the social environment, living conditions, and the political framework of one’s country of origin also play a significant role.

If the person trying to quit smoking is surrounded by smokers, their chances of success are reduced, as is their level of nicotine dependence.

Nicotine dependence and the habits associated with smoking make quitting much more than just a matter of willpower.

Experts explain why withdrawal occurs, which treatments are most effective, and the strategies that increase the likelihood of quitting smoking for good.

Quit Smoking

The sooner you do it, the better for you.

It’s not just about quitting the habit, but about confronting a physical and psychological addiction that alters brain function and becomes ingrained in daily routines. For this reason, relapses are common, and few manage to maintain their success.

Proposals to facilitate detoxification

Motivation is key to starting a change: arguments such as “health care”, “saving” and “independence” from addiction are the most common.

Individual support for smokers, both from professionals and family members; as well as undertaking joint challenges with friends and family; spouses or partners, who are also smokers.

Expert recommendations

They point out that quitting smoking cold turkey isn’t always the most effective strategy.

Medical evidence shows that the chances of success increase when the process includes professional support and treatment to manage withdrawal.

Why is quitting smoking so difficult?

Smoking is not solely dependent on chemical addiction.

Smoking also becomes associated with specific times of day: drinking coffee, driving, spending time with friends, or dealing with stressful situations.

That’s why, even after overcoming physical withdrawal, certain triggers can reignite the urge to smoke.

This combination of dependence and learned habits explains why relapses are frequent.

What happens in the body when a person stops smoking?

The difficulty in quitting smoking begins in the brain.

Nicotine produces chemical changes that generate a momentary sensation of pleasure and relaxation; but over time, the body develops a dependence and needs to consume more to obtain the same effect.

When a person quits smoking, the body reacts to the absence of nicotine.

This reaction is known as withdrawal syndrome and usually appears a few hours after the last cigarette.

The symptoms reach their peak between the second and third day, although they tend to gradually decrease in the following weeks.

Among the most frequent complaints are:

• Intense craving to smoke
• Anxiety and irritability
• Difficulty sleeping
• Trouble concentrating
• Increased appetite

Among the myths surrounding quitting smoking is the belief that smoking relieves stress, when in reality it only temporarily reduces withdrawal symptoms caused by nicotine dependence.

What treatments help people quit smoking?

Experts recommend a comprehensive approach that combines medical support and behavioral changes.

Among the most commonly used alternatives are nicotine replacement therapies, such as patches, gum, or lozenges, as well as specific medications that help reduce anxiety and the urge to smoke.

Identifying the moments that trigger cravings, modifying routines, and creating new stress management strategies can make all the difference in the process.

Staying physically active, seeking family support, and avoiding environments associated with smoking also help reduce the risk of relapse.

The benefits of quitting smoking start quickly

The benefits of quitting smoking begin to be noticeable from the first few weeks.

• Improves breathing, increases energy
• Reduces the risk of cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases.

Tobacco use is linked to serious conditions such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), diabetes, heart attacks, and various types of cancer.

What increases the chances of success

There is no magic formula for quitting smoking, but there are factors that increase the chances of success:

1. Prepare yourself mentally.
2. Understand that abstinence is temporary.
3. And seek professional help.

More than a lack of willpower, quitting smoking involves breaking a dependency built up over years.

And while the process can be difficult, the health benefits are endless.

Resources: consalud

La entrada Quit smoking se publicó primero en Centro Andaluz Alfa-1.

Today, on International Nurses Day, we want to highlight the role these professionals play in the hospital setting, and especially in the field of pulmonology.

We are increasingly witnessing the growing complexity of respiratory diseases, from lung cancer to emerging infections like hantavirus.

The role of the advanced practice nurse has become crucial.

In addition to providing care, they are also responsible for ensuring continuity of care, as well as clinical anticipation and support.

Mission and vision of the role of nursing today

Challenges

Today we reflect on current challenges, focusing mainly on three fundamental pillars:

• Respiratory care.
• The importance of compassionate care.
• And the transformative role of advanced nursing.

Basically because we find ourselves in a health scenario where serious infectious diseases remind us of the need for increasingly specialized respiratory surveillance.

Transformation of the role of the nursing professional

Following the pandemic, a clear need emerged to strengthen care for respiratory diseases, which increased both in volume and complexity.

This is compounded by an aging population, with patients increasingly susceptible to developing illnesses, suffering from multiple chronic conditions, and facing complex social realities that necessitate a much more comprehensive and coordinated approach to healthcare.

Comprehensive Support

The role of advanced practice nursing is to accompany the patient throughout their entire care process and, in many cases, even beyond hospital discharge.

Furthermore, they act as a link between the patient, their family, and the multidisciplinary team, ensuring continuity of care, clinical anticipation, and a much more personalized and compassionate approach.

In addition, therapeutic education allows the patient to understand what is happening through clear language and simple examples that help them grasp the explanations being given.

And support is key because recovery is not just physical.

In addition, it also involves emotional support and contact with family.

Without a doubt, the nurse-patient relationship is so important that it is fundamental to patient satisfaction.

Furthermore, aspects such as pain management, early mobilization, respiratory optimization, and continuity of care after discharge make a huge difference in clinical outcomes and the patient’s overall experience.

Evolution of nursing in respiratory diseases

Nursing has evolved a great deal, although there is still a way to go.

This role has evolved to encompass the increasingly complex profile it addresses.

Previously, nursing was more closely linked to a traditional, primarily care-oriented function.

However, today, advanced practice involves clinical leadership, decision-making, care coordination, research, and the ability to transform care pathways.

It’s a blend of advanced clinical practice and a management profile.

Today, this role is no longer complementary: it’s fundamental to adding value to our care.

Challenges with the respiratory patient

• One of the major challenges today is the growing number of respiratory patients facing strained and overwhelmed healthcare systems.
• Increasingly, patients are being treated who are older, have multiple health conditions, and come from complex social backgrounds that significantly impact their progress and recovery.

The challenge is not only in the hospital, but especially in what happens after discharge.

The challenge lies not only in the hospital, but especially in what happens after discharge.

Often, patients are clinically stabilized, but enormous difficulties arise in ensuring adequate continuity of care, particularly for those with high dependency or social difficulties.

Limited resources

On the other hand, resources such as long-term care facilities and intermediate care structures are in high demand and clearly insufficient to serve the entire population.

Currently, as a society, we are still not fully confronting an obvious reality: we are living longer, but this also means living with more chronic illnesses, greater frailty, and increased care needs.

It will not always be possible to respond solely through acute hospitalization, nor can we assume that families will be able to bear the entire burden of care, especially in a social and labor context that is completely different from what it was decades ago.

This demands a profound rethinking of our care model.

Prevention is key

On the other hand, while progress has been made in prevention, especially regarding smoking, we are still often too late to intervene.

In fact, prevention cannot rely solely on one-off campaigns; it requires ongoing education, particularly for young people.

We are particularly concerned about the normalization of vaping, which is often perceived as a harmless alternative when it is not.

If we truly want to change future respiratory health, we need to invest much more in prevention, education, and public awareness.

Sources: Enfermería 21

La entrada Specialized Nursing se publicó primero en Centro Andaluz Alfa-1.

On April 25, 2026, we celebrated European Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (AATD) Awareness Day.

The aim of this Awareness Day is to raise awareness about this genetic condition in order to increase detection and diagnosis rates, and ultimately, improve access to treatment for those affected.

Hereditary mutations result in an abnormal AAT protein.

• This protein accumulates in the liver and can cause organ damage.
• Consequently, if the level of AAT in the blood is low, the lungs are left unprotected against infections or irritants, and lung problems can develop.

RECOGNIZE THE SIGNS

European Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency Day

Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) can cause a variety of symptoms that may begin at a young age or in adulthood (between 20 and 50 years old).

BABIES AND CHILDREN

LIVER-RELATED SYMPTOMS

• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and/or eyes)
• Abdominal pain and/or swelling (infants)
• Failure to thrive or lack of normal weight gain (infants)
• Diarrhea (infants)

ADULTOS: SÍNTOMAS RELACIONADOS

LUNGS

• Difficulty breathing
• Wheezing
• Chronic bronchitis
• Recurrent colds
• Bronchiectasis

LIVER

• Jaundice: yellowing of the skin and/or eyes.
• Pain and/or swelling in the abdomen and/or legs.
• Persistent itching. Feelings of weakness and fatigue.

SKIN

• Nódulos rojos, dolorosos y elevados en la piel en piernas, brazos, tronco o cara.
• Los nódulos pueden ulcerarse, sangrar y supurar una sustancia aceitosa.

Red, painful, raised nodules on the skin of the legs, arms, torso, or face.

The nodules may ulcerate, bleed, and ooze an oily substance.

European Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency Day

1. It is important that all people with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency undergo testing for liver disease.
2. After alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD), it is important to be tested for lung disease as soon as possible.
3. A healthy lifestyle, treatment, and symptom management can help prevent lung disease from worsening.
4. Panniculitis is a rare skin condition; treatment can help manage it.

Many people are unaware that they may be living with an undiagnosed inherited condition.

Diagnosis is key to:

• Access to treatments.
• Following care plans and lifestyle changes.
• Ultimately, slowing the progression of the disease and improving quality of life.
• It can also give your children the knowledge they need to act in time.
• And with that, potentially preventing symptoms before they appear.

If your AAT levels are low, a genetic test can confirm the diagnosis by identifying the specific genetic variants involved and determining the severity of the deficiency. Understanding your genetic makeup is the first step in protecting your health.

We remind you of the importance of getting tested.

• In particular, all patients with liver disease of unknown origin and those who suffer from frequent respiratory infections should be tested.
• Likewise, people with a family history of alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, those with COPD, bronchiectasis, or irreversible asthma should also be screened.

Don’t wait until your symptoms get worse! Get tested now!

NEXT STEP

After the diagnosis, you should contact a specialized center of excellence or a specialist doctor.

JOIN US TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Every year on April 25, the Alpha-1 community across Europe comes together to raise awareness, give a voice to patients through their own stories, and highlight the challenges faced by people with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) and their families.

Together, we can build a future where no one with AATD is left behind.

There are many treatments and therapies you may be entitled to that can improve your quality of life.

Contact your national patient organization: Alpha 1 Spain

Source: REDAAT

La entrada European Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency Day se publicó primero en Centro Andaluz Alfa-1.

Rare diseases are those that affect a small number of people relative to the general population.

In fact, it is are defined as those that affect fewer than five people per 10,000 inhabitants.

In Spain, more than three million people live with a rare disease, many of them without a diagnosis or treatment.

Furthermore, this condition, although affecting very few people, has a high mortality rate.

They generally involve a very severe chronic course, with multiple motor, sensory, and cognitive impairments, often presenting a high level of clinical complexity that hinders their diagnosis and recognition.

World Rare Diseases Day

Today, on World Rare Disease Day, patients and experts are calling for equity and more research, as well as faster access to the most innovative therapies.

Living with a rare disease

Imagine experiencing the following situation:

It is not surprising that, for millions of people, living with a rare disease means facing uncertainty every day; sometimes for years; other times for decades, until the true diagnosis is known.

And, in the worst-case scenario, that diagnosis never comes.

The impact of rare diseases on public health

Diagnosis and treatment

Although each of these diseases is rare individually, together they have a significant impact on public health and require personalized care strategies.

The genetic, phenotypic, and environmental characteristics that define these conditions are not always well established across different populations, hindering the standardization of diagnoses and therapeutic approaches.

Furthermore, a lack of knowledge and awareness about these diseases contributes to delays in diagnosis, care, and prevention of complications, as well as limitations in the resources available to patients.

Diagnosis of a rare disease

To give you an idea, a patient with a rare disease waits an average of four years for a diagnosis.

This means that in approximately 20% of cases, it takes 10 years or more to receive a proper diagnosis.

National research

Spain is the only country in Europe that has not yet officially recognized the specialty of medical and clinical laboratory genetics within its healthcare system.

This means that, unlike other countries, there are no physicians specializing in genetics who can lead the diagnosis and management of these diseases within the public health system.

In fact, currently, the analysis and interpretation of genetic tests falls to professionals in other fields, which can lead to delays and errors in diagnosis.

It is no coincidence that only 20% of rare diseases are being researched.

Statistics

According to data from the National Institute of Statistics (INE), Spain’s investment in R&D barely reaches 1.5% of its GDP, well below the European average (2.47%) or countries like Sweden, which invest up to 3%.

Therefore, we believe it is necessary to “increase public funding and encourage private investment through incentives, such as declaring research into rare diseases an Event of Exceptional Public Interest (EPI), to promote new studies and the development of treatments.”

Other challenges

Alongside this research deficit, other worrying challenges exist.

Among them is early detection, since a lack of awareness about these conditions hinders diagnosis, even among healthcare professionals.

Many of these diseases are so rare that even doctors are unfamiliar with them, prolonging the uncertainty for patients and their families.

FEDER (Spanish Federation of Rare Diseases) emphasizes that expanding the number of rare diseases included in newborn screening tests would also be beneficial.

This does not diminish the importance of early detection, which allows for treatment to begin before the most serious symptoms appear.

The importance of early diagnosis

There is a certain lack of awareness surrounding rare diseases.

There has been little research and a lack of public support for issues related to rare diseases.

Most of these diseases are incurable, but as the rare disease and orphan drug information portal, Orphanet, explains:

“Appropriate treatment and medical care can improve the quality of life of those affected and extend their life expectancy.”

“Without research there is no cure”

In this regard, the progress made in some diseases has been enormous, hence the importance of continuing research to better understand rare diseases and advances in the field of health.

Faced with these challenges, it is essential to provide accurate and rapid diagnoses for these types of diseases, as well as to facilitate access to treatments to improve patients’ quality of life.

Global Commitment

All the inequalities mentioned in terms of access to healthcare for patients with rare diseases have highlighted the urgent need for an international commitment capable of improving the lives, well-being, and social impact of these conditions.

Sources: el mundo, novartis, Instituto Europeo sobre Enfermedades Raras

La entrada Rare Diseases se publicó primero en Centro Andaluz Alfa-1.

We breathe around 20,000 times a day.

Breathing is an automatic and involuntary physiological process that begins at birth and ends at death.

It is key to our survival, which is why we never stop doing it.

During this process, the body’s cells are nourished with oxygen, and we expel it in the form of carbon dioxide.

Conscious breathing

Breathing is an automatic bodily function, but when it becomes a conscious act, it can transform into a powerful tool for physical and mental balance.

Despite being an automatic process, we can modify it; changing the way we breathe can bring benefits to our physical and mental health.

The importance of knowing how to breathe properly

Pursue your well-being

A large portion of the population breathes shallowly and rapidly, making their chest rise and fall. However, it’s important to know that this limits the body’s oxygen intake and activates the sympathetic nervous system, in addition to generating muscle tension.

Most people breathe shallowly, rapidly, and primarily through their chest.

This type of breathing limits the body’s oxygen intake, activates the sympathetic nervous system (associated with stress), and generates muscle tension.

Therefore, some people often experience stress and anxiety, frequently caused by this incorrect breathing pattern.

The importance of knowing how to breathe

Learn to breathe

Learning to breathe efficiently is a simple, accessible tool with proven effects on overall well-being.

In other words, deep, conscious breathing activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which induces relaxation, regulates heart rate, and promotes mental clarity.

Main benefits of conscious breathing

1. Stress and anxiety reduction: Slowing the breathing rate decreases the activity of the sympathetic nervous system.
2. Improved concentration and attention: Focusing the mind on breathing helps reduce mental distraction.
3. Greater emotional control: It facilitates the management of impulsive reactions and promotes a state of inner calm.
4. Reduced muscle tension: Deep breathing naturally relaxes the body.
5. Improved oxygenation: By fully utilizing the lungs, gas exchange and cellular energy are enhanced.
6. Better sleep: Incorporating breathing techniques before bed can help you fall asleep and improve sleep quality.

Conscious breathing in holistic health

Increasingly, healthcare professionals are integrating these practices into complementary treatments to address disorders such as:

• Chronic stress and generalized anxiety.
• High blood pressure.
• Tension headaches.
• Stress-related digestive disorders.
• Persistent fatigue or insomnia.

This demonstrates that breathing is much more than a biological function: it is a therapeutic resource of great value.

3 exercises to breathe well

Deep breathing

This is one of the simplest breathing techniques, designed to induce a calm and relaxed state of mind.

It consists of inhaling through the nose for about 4 seconds.

Hold your breath while mentally counting to 4, very calmly.

Then, exhale calmly for another 4 seconds.

Repeat 5 or 6 times.

Complete breathing

This exercise uses deep abdominal breathing.

First, exhale all the air from your lungs, emptying them completely. Then, inhale gently and deeply, filling your abdomen as much as possible, followed by your lungs and chest.

Hold your breath for about four seconds and exhale slowly, noticing how your chest empties first, then your abdomen.

Breathing exercises for better sleep

This conscious breathing exercise will help us manage stress and, consequently, sleep better.

Place the tip of your tongue on the roof of your mouth, just behind your upper front teeth. Inhale through your nose for about 4 seconds, then hold your breath for 6 to 8 seconds.

After these first two parts, exhale through your mouth, pursing your lips and making a hissing sound, blowing out, noticing how you release all your internal tension, for about 8 seconds. Repeat the entire exercise about four more times.

Sources: psicologiaymente, sanitas

La entrada Breathe well se publicó primero en Centro Andaluz Alfa-1.

The importance of priority healthcare for chronic respiratory patients

The need to promote a national strategy

Last Wednesday, a document prepared by Chiesi Spain entitled “Consensus for Equity in Respiratory Health” was published.

This report includes recommendations for its implementation in Spain: the objective is to show the inequalities in the approach to highly prevalent pathologies.

Similarly, it highlights the need to promote new measures to achieve a consensus in the care of respiratory patients. This would have an effect on reducing social determinants of health.

Needs identified in chronic respiratory patients

The public healthcare system is free and decentralized; each Autonomous Community manages its resources independently.

Currently, scientific societies, professional associations, and patient groups have expressed the need to address the social determinants of health that affect millions of patients with respiratory illnesses.

The primary goal in managing respiratory illnesses is early diagnosis; however, primary care is overwhelmed.

For this reason, strengthening primary care and improving its coordination with specialized medical care is crucial.

If specialists recorded the social determinants of health in patients’ medical records, it would be easier to tailor care to their individual circumstances.

Optimization of the patient care system

Patients need changes:

• More than seven million people in Spain suffer from asthma, COPD, and other chronic respiratory illnesses that significantly impact their daily lives.
• Respiratory diseases are chronic, progressive, and debilitating conditions that have a major impact on patients and their families.
• These illnesses can affect everything from performing basic daily activities, such as going outside or showering, to mental health issues like anxiety and depression.
• These patients are also more vulnerable to viruses and infections.

On the other hand, access to specialist care is geographically limited, especially for people living far from major cities.

For this reason, it is necessary to educate society about preventative healthcare.

“If we want to reduce the impact of these diseases, we must act earlier, starting in childhood.”

Some diseases cannot be prevented, but early diagnosis and timely treatment can slow their development or progression, improving the patient’s quality of life and survival.

This is alsoMain objectivevisits to primary care centers by people with respiratory illnesses is 1.4 times higher.

Main objective

Patient Care

Comprehensive patient healthcare is the first recommendation of the consensus.

An approach that emphasizes “everyone working together, with coordination between different levels of care,” and strengthening the role of respiratory nursing.

Secondly, facilitating early diagnosis of these diseases, “starting with suspicion in primary care and, if a definitive diagnosis is not possible, referring to a specialist.”

Synergy among medical specialists, nurses, and pharmacists is key to working in the right direction, as is educating the public.

Centralizing data for access to information in electronic health records is the path to achieving better results with less effort.

Furthermore, it is important to launch health promotion and anti-smoking campaigns; smoking, along with increasingly changeable weather patterns with alternating periods of cold and heat, exacerbates respiratory illnesses.

Access to Treatments

The document also highlights the importance of promoting equitable access to treatment, as well as the incorporation of cost-effective therapeutic innovations.

It further emphasizes the importance of promoting therapeutic education programs and recommendations for healthy lifestyle habits.

On the other hand, it recommends launching awareness campaigns in all autonomous communities to strengthen respiratory health prevention and promotion.

Experts agree that early diagnosis of respiratory diseases facilitates timely treatment and better health outcomes, making it possible to alter the natural course of the disease.

Conclusions

For all these reasons, the document concludes by adding recommendations regarding the establishment of quality health outcome indicators.

The objective is to allow the autonomous communities to measure and evaluate, using the same common and agreed-upon criteria, the efficiency of chronic respiratory patient management.

Finally, the analysis recommends assigning the State Public Health Agency the task of defining a unified methodology for continuously analyzing and monitoring the impact of all the social determinants of health on respiratory diseases.

Furthermore, it seeks to identify data on the social determinants of health, all from a multidisciplinary and inter-regional perspective.

Sources: La razón, Inmedico

La entrada Chronic Respiratory Patients se publicó primero en Centro Andaluz Alfa-1.

Children’s cardiovascular health

In Spain, childhood obesity remains a major challenge in 2025, affecting more than a third of schoolchildren (36.1% overweight in 2023), with figures that vary according to age and socioeconomic level.

Sedentary lifestyle

Furthermore, sedentary behavior is a key factor, evidenced by a significant increase in screen time and a reduction in physical activity, according to studies such as PASOS 2022-2025 by the Gasol Foundation.

This data is particularly important given that the World Health Organization considers that 80% of cases could be prevented with healthy habits instilled from an early age.

Nutrition and health prevention

Stages from birth

Infant

From birth, these two factors are key to prevention.

For the first six months, exclusive breastfeeding is essential; and complementary feeding should continue until two years of age, gradually introducing a variety of natural foods starting at six months.

Furthermore, free movement, crawling, and play are fundamental to stimulating their development.

It is well known that obesity in children under two years of age carries a 30% greater chance of persisting into adolescence, and thus into adulthood.

preschool age

Between the ages of three and five, a varied diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein, along with limited sugar intake, is essential for protecting cardiovascular health.

Furthermore, it is important to combine a healthy diet with 180 minutes of physical activity of any intensity.

Don’t forget that young children need to sleep more than an adult, between 10 and 13 hours of sleep per day.

Preadolescence

During the school years, from ages six to twelve, a balanced breakfast is recommended, while limiting snacks, pastries, and sugary drinks.

It is also very important to encourage physical activity, whether it be walking, cycling, or any other extracurricular activity.

It is worth considering replacing these types of activities with screen time, limiting their use to two hours per day.

Adolescence

Young people between the ages of thirteen and seventeen are at a stage where they consolidate their eating and physical activity habits; they already have autonomy and the capacity to make choices.

If they have acquired healthy habits during childhood, it is considered that they have made optimal progress to continue into adulthood.

A responsible relationship with food is a very important step in people’s lives.

Nutrition and health prevention

Respiratory problems

We don’t usually pay attention to the problems that can result from excessive consumption of ultra-processed foods from childhood.

In this case, a study carried out by the University Clinic of Navarra has shown that if 30% of the diet consists of ultra-processed foods, in minors, the risk of suffering from chronic respiratory diseases increases.

The relationship between diet and respiratory health

Nutrition plays a crucial role in the management and prevention of chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma, COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), and pulmonary fibrosis.

A balanced, nutrient-rich diet can significantly improve lung function, reduce inflammation, and strengthen the immune system.

For this reason, we consider good nutrition as a preventative measure.

What foods are most recommended for patients with chronic respiratory diseases?

It’s very simple, it’s about incorporating basic and accessible foods into your daily diet, which, if consumed daily, will have a very positive impact on your health.

• Fresh fruits and vegetables: Rich in antioxidants and vitamins, they help fight inflammation and oxidative stress.
• Fatty fish: Sources of omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon and mackerel, which help reduce inflammation.
• Nuts and seeds: Good sources of magnesium and healthy fats that support lung function.

What foods should you avoid to improve your respiratory health?

There are some foods that can worsen the symptoms of chronic respiratory illnesses.

These foods are easy to guess:

• Processed foods and foods high in sodium: These can cause fluid retention and raise blood pressure, which can make breathing difficult.
• Dairy products: In some people, dairy can increase mucus production, which can worsen breathing problems.
• Fried and fatty foods: These can cause inflammation and impair lung function.

How does good hydration affect respiratory health?

Proper hydration is essential for respiratory health, for the following reasons:

• It keeps the airways hydrated: This facilitates mucus removal and easier breathing.
• It helps prevent infections: Drinking enough water can help keep your immune system strong and functioning properly.

In conclusion, we invite you to reflect on how food influences your life and how important it is to you personally.

Finally, we ask if you consider your eating habits to be positive for your health and, if not, what steps you would take to make a change and set new goals for next year.

Sources: Efesalud, eleco, neumotec

La entrada Nutrition and health prevention se publicó primero en Centro Andaluz Alfa-1.

During Plasma Awareness Week, we introduce you to an exciting world where plasma plays a fundamental role in the field of health and medical research.

What is plasma?

It is a transparent and slightly yellowish liquid that represents 55% of the total blood volume.

Here, the blood cells are suspended:

• Platelets
• Red blood cells
• White blood cells

And it is made up of three basic principles:

• 90% water
• Mineral salts
• Proteins

Plasma proteins derived from plasma

Plasma contains a large number of proteins that ensure the proper functioning of our body, among which the following stand out:

• Immunoglobulins: defenses that protect us from infections.
• Clotting factors: along with platelets, they are responsible for stopping bleeding when we cut ourselves.
• Growth factors: crucial for cell repair and regeneration.
• Albumin: a protein that transports hormones and medications to the tissues.
• Alpha-1 antitrypsin: used in the treatment of alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, which can lead to lung and liver diseases.

The importance of plasma for Alpha 1 Antitrypsin deficiency

Plasma therapy for alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency involves the intravenous infusion of purified AAT from donor human plasma, which is the only known targeted treatment to prevent or slow the progression of emphysema.

This protein replacement helps protect the lungs from tissue destruction caused by other proteases, and its level in the blood can be monitored to ensure its effectiveness.

What is Alpha 1 Antitrypsin Deficiency?

DAAT is a hereditary genetic disease.

In its severe forms, it predisposes individuals to the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and emphysema, as well as liver disease.

Diagnosis is established by determining the serum concentration of AAT, followed by phenotyping and genotyping, although the latter is more commonly used due to its lower cost and easier access.

What should be taken into account?

This disease is the most common cause of severe pulmonary emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adults, as well as the most common cause of liver disease in children.

It is more common than other rare lung diseases such as cystic fibrosis and pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Symptoms of Alpha 1 Antitrypsin Deficiency

They vary depending on the severity and type of genetic mutation of the disorder, and external factors also play a role.

Alpha 1 dementia affects approximately 3.4 million people worldwide.

It is estimated that up to 90% of people with severe alpha 1 dementia remain undiagnosed, despite the existence of simple screening tests that can quickly detect the disease.

Plasma donation for health

Plasma donation, or plasmapheresis, involves drawing blood, separating the blood cells using a cell separator, retaining the plasma, and returning the remaining blood to the donor through the same line.

The donation process takes about 45 minutes, and because plasma is primarily water, the donor recovers very quickly and can donate more frequently. Plasma can be donated every 15 days.

Of the 5 liters of blood that an average 70-kilogram person has, about 3 liters are plasma.

Who can donate plasma?

To donate plasma, you must meet the same requirements as for blood donation.

You must be between 18 and 70 years old, weigh more than 50 kilos (110 pounds), be in good health, and, in the case of women, not be pregnant.

Also, if you have donated blood, you must wait one month before your next donation.

All blood types are valid, although blood type AB is the universal plasma donor, compatible with all recipients.

The importance of plasma in health and medicine

The importance of plasma in health and medicine

In the medical field, it is essential for transfusions in major surgeries, trauma, and conditions involving blood loss.

In addition, it is used in the treatment of autoimmune diseases, providing antibodies and immune proteins.

To address coagulation disorders, such as hemophilia, plasma provides necessary clotting factors, and in the context of infections, such as COVID-19, convalescent plasma therapy is used, taking advantage of the antibodies present in the plasma of recovered individuals.

What is blood plasma used for?

Functions of plasma in the blood

Medical properties of blood plasma

• Clotting capacity: Crucial in the prevention and treatment of bleeding.
• Nutrient and waste transport: Acts as a transport medium for essential nutrients, gases, and waste products, facilitating exchange between tissues and organs.
• Immunoglobulins and antibodies: Their role is vital in the immune response, useful in the treatment of autoimmune diseases and convalescent plasma therapy.
• Regulation of blood volume and pressure: Albumin in plasma helps maintain osmotic pressure and blood volume, crucial for homeostasis and cardiovascular function.
• Compatibility for transfusions: Allows for compatible blood transfusions, as cellular components (red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets) can be separated from the plasma, facilitating the administration of specific components according to the patient’s needs.
• Supports immune function: Plasma is rich in antibodies (immunoglobulins), crucial for the immune system to fight infections and neutralize pathogens. That is why plasma-derived proteins are valuable in patients with immune deficiencies.

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We are calling on blood donors, regarding the need to donate plasma, as both are urgently needed in our country to continue saving lives.

Source: Centro Andaluz Alfa 1, Grifols, Centromedicoabc

La entrada Plasma for health se publicó primero en Centro Andaluz Alfa-1.

Human beings spend a third of their lives sleeping

It has been proven that quality sleep is key to good health, especially respiratory health.

For this reason, it has been a subject of study for decades, and important scientific advances have been made in this area of ​​study.

Relationship between Sleep and Respiratory Health

While we sleep, our body recovers, our respiratory muscles relax, and our breathing becomes slower and more regular.

This allows for greater exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the lungs, facilitating efficient respiratory function.

This relationship is a compelling reason to explain the direct relationship between sleep quality and respiratory health and, consequently, the risk of developing lung diseases.

Importance of Sleep in Preventing Lung Disease

Here are some reasons why sleep directly affects respiratory health:

Regulation of the immune system

During sleep, our immune system strengthens and regenerates. This is especially important for preventing respiratory infections, such as colds and flu.

Reduction of inflammation

Insufficient sleep can contribute to chronic inflammation in the body, including the lungs.

How does sleep quality affect daily life?

How we feel while we are awake depends, in part, on what happens while we sleep.

On the other hand, in children and adolescents, sleep promotes growth and development.

In fact, not getting enough sleep can increase the risk of chronic, long-term health problems.

It can also affect the ability to reason, react, work, learn, and interact with others.

Hormones and sleep

El cuerpo produce diferentes hormonas en diferentes momentos del día.

Por la mañana, el cuerpo libera hormonas que promueven el estado de vigilia, como el cortisol, lo cual nos ayuda a permanecer despiertos.

El metabolismo y el sueño

How the body uses fat varies according to various circadian clocks, including those of the liver, fat, and muscle.

For example, circadian clocks ensure that the liver is primed to help digest fats at the right times.

The body may use fat differently if we eat at unusual times.

Relationship between sleep quality and obesity

We summarize the effects of poor sleep quality in five key factors, according to various clinical studies:

1. Higher levels of hormones that control hunger, including leptin and ghrelin, within the body
2. Decreased ability to respond to insulin
3. Increased food consumption, especially fatty, sweet, and salty foods
4. Decreased physical activity
5. Metabolic syndrome: A group of risk factors that increase the likelihood of developing heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and other conditions.

Respiratory and immune systems

During sleep, we breathe less frequently and less deeply, and inhale less oxygen.

These changes can cause problems for people with health conditions such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

• Asthma symptoms often worsen during sleep in the early morning hours.
• Likewise, breathing problems in people with conditions like COPD may worsen during sleep.
• Sleep also affects different parts of the immune system, which are more active at different times of the day.
• For example, while we sleep, a specific type of immune cells work harder. This is why people who don’t get enough sleep may be more prone to colds and other infections.

Reasoning and memory problems

Sleep contributes to learning and the formation of long-term memories.

Not getting enough sleep or enough quality sleep can lead to difficulty concentrating on tasks and impaired reasoning.

Tips to improve sleep quality

Improving sleep quality can make a difference in respiratory health. Here are some tips to help you achieve restful sleep and prevent lung diseases:

1. Keep a regular sleep schedule

• Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends.
• This helps regulate your circadian rhythm and improves sleep quality.

2. Create a sleep-friendly environment

• Make sure your room is dark, quiet, and at a comfortable temperature.
• Also, use comfortable mattresses and pillows.

3. Avoid stimulants before bedtime

• Limit your use of technology before bed.
• Also, avoid caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco before bed, as they can interfere with sleep quality and affect respiratory health.

4. Practice a relaxation routine before bed

• Do relaxing activities before bed, such as reading a book, taking a warm bath, or practicing deep breathing techniques.

5. Healthy habits

• Eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly, and avoid excessive stress.
• A healthy lifestyle contributes to better sleep and optimal respiratory health.

Source: Europeanlung, nhlbi, neumotec

La entrada Sleep and respiratory health se publicó primero en Centro Andaluz Alfa-1.

Wave of fires in Spain

In recent weeks, many areas of Spain have seen their skies covered in a thick, toxic layer of smoke, the result of fires that have spread, engulfing thousands of hectares of green spaces and surrounding urban areas.

Forest fires

A double danger for your health and the environment

The recipe for disaster: a mixture of smoke and haze

Spain is experiencing the worst wave of wildfires in its history in the midst of a heat wave.

This situation not only makes extinguishing the fire difficult, but also releases harmful particles that remain suspended and can be respirated hundreds of kilometers from the fire.

Furthermore, it has been shown that these particles can persist for quite some time after the fire is extinguished.

The most dangerous are PM2.5, with a diameter less than 2.5 microns, capable of penetrating deep into the lungs and reaching the bloodstream.

These particles irritate the respiratory system, cause inflammation, and aggravate pre-existing conditions.

Although the human body has defense mechanisms, its filtering capacity is limited in the face of prolonged or intense exposure.

However, health effects can appear later, weakening the respiratory system’s defenses, facilitating the entry of viruses and bacteria.

On the other hand, in the medium term, air quality remains poor even when smoke is no longer visible, making it necessary to maintain preventive measures beyond the immediate emergency.

Fires can seriously affect respiratory health.

The first harmful effect falls on the lungs

The air becomes unbreathable for many people, especially those who already suffer from respiratory conditions.

Smoke, composed of gases and particles, can irritate the eyes, throat, and lungs, causing coughing and wheezing.

In addition, patients with asthma or diseases like COPD experience exacerbations that may require urgent medical attention or even hospitalization.

Side effects on health

Combustion of different materials

In addition to plant material, synthetic materials present in homes, infrastructure, or street furniture can burn in a fire.

This adds toxic compounds such as dioxins, furans, and heavy metals to the air, which are highly harmful to health.

The mixture of these pollutants turns the smoke into an unstable and harmful chemical cloud.

Breathing that air not only produces immediate symptoms like coughing or shortness of breath, but can have long-term consequences, even years later.

Psychological consequences

Fires can affect not only physical health but also mental health, with consequences such as post-traumatic stress.

Medical recommendations

As long as these episodes continue, pulmonology specialists recommend:

1. Avoid outdoor sports early in the morning and late in the evening, as the concentration of particles is higher.
2. In addition, it is advisable to ventilate your home early in the morning or at night, as well as to use air purifiers.
3. Furthermore, the use of FFP2 masks is recommended to avoid inhaling polluting particles, especially in exposed areas.
4. Finally, if you experience difficulty breathing, a persistent cough, or unusual throat irritation, see your doctor as soon as possible.

Sources: La razón, Demócrata, RTVe

La entrada The effects of fires on health se publicó primero en Centro Andaluz Alfa-1.