Lung transplantation may be an option for people with cystic fibrosis , emphysema, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis , or sarcoidosis , although there may be other illnesses in the group as well.

The study, done by researchers from Johns Hopkins, found that having both lung replaced by healthy lungs because if one lung is left behind, there may be some residual (left over) parts of the disease, which could end up causing problems. The researchers also point out that “when both lungs are replaced, the new lungs, which must breathe together as a pair, are already adapted to each other.”

The encouraging part of this study is that people who received two lungs had almost double the chances of long-term survival over those who only received eon. The discouraging part is this digs into the already very low number of lungs available for transplant.

By transplanting only one lung, surgeons can save two lives with one donor. According to a press release issued by the Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions,

The finding is potentially controversial, researchers say, because there is already a shortage of organ donors, and more widespread use of bilateral lung transplants could nearly halve the potential number of beneficiaries. Though more than 1,400 lung transplants occurred in the United States in 2008, another 2,000 Americans remain on lung waiting lists, while 80 more are waiting for both a heart and lung.

What do you think? Should we be increasing the chances of long-term survival or give more people a shot at survival?

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Post from: Blisstree

2 lungs better than 1 in transplantation

WEGO Health is a place where health activists — caregivers, bloggers, forum moderators and more — gather to connect with each other and strengthen their voices by sharing information about a broad range of health topics. After creating a profile, users may start a blog or join groups and discussions.

Some groups at WEGO Health include Infertility, Asthma and Allergy, Sexual Health, Migraine and Sleep Problems. The site covers just about any health topic you can imagine.

What health websites do you site often?

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Post from: Blisstree

WEGO Health Spotlight

Chato Stewart at Mental Health Humor didn’t know it when he tagged me, but I am kind of obsessed with normally really enjoy doing these survey/meme thingies. For this one you have to:

1. Link back to the person who tagged you. (Check.)
2. Mention the rules on your blog. (Am doing so now.)
3. Tell about 6 unspectacular quirks of yours. (Not sure what is meant by “unspectacular,” but I’ll give it a go.)
4. Tag 6 fellow bloggers by linking them. (Will do – though they’ll probably kill me!)
5. Leave a comment on each of the tagged blogger’s blogs letting them know they’ve been tagged. (Will do – and they’ll appreciate it!)

So, without further ado, here are…

6 Unspectacular Quirks of Mine

1. In addition to being severely scared of spiders (which isn’t so bizarre), I have a trifecta of really bizarre phobias. I don’t know if the phobias themselves could be called “quirks,” but the steps I take to avoid encountering these items (and the panicked behavior I’m hurled into when I do encounter these items) is quirky, I suppose.
2. Whenever I leave my home for a time to exceed 24 hours, I must clean it, first. And I don’t just mean take out the trash and do the dishes (because, really, no one wants to come home to such funky smells). I mean, really clean it. I have to dust, vacuum, sweep, mop, do all the laundry, and reorganize anything that’s gotten messy during work. I even have to wash all the pet food bowls. I don’t know if I’m trying to impress would-be burglars or if I think Professor Slughorn is planning on taking up residence while I’m gone, but this is something I’ve done all my life.
3. I still find it difficult to not shave my legs every time I shower or bathe.
4. I am weird about laundry. I love doing laundry. Sorting, washing, drying, folding – all of it. And, if I can manage it, I like to look in the washer once or twice during each load. (This is why I really love washing machines with the front, see-through doors.) There’s just something really renewing about laundry, and a trip to a well-kept, accommodating laundromat is like a spiritual experience for me (ha!). Oh, and I don’t like others to help me with laundry. That’s a chore I prefer to do myself.
5. Sometimes to the chagrin of whomever I’m with, I always stop to pick up pennies showing the “head” side.
6. I see vintage home features like Pepto-colored bathroom tiles and mirrored walls as bonuses – not reasons for bank loans and demos (which is probably why many HGTV shows make me mad!).

Well, that’s it! I’m probably 100 times weirder now than you ever thought I could be. My tagged victims are:

• Kendra at A Hearty Life or Diabetes Notes, because she’s our fearless leader and should naturally be put on the spot!
• Susan and Kelly at Grounded Fitness, because they’re new and we need to know more about them, don’t you think?
• Kristen at Lively Women because I just know she has some quirks to share. I just know it.
• Scott at Health and Men because we need to add some testosterone in the mix (and because I happen to know he used to have a questionable interest in voodoo (ha, just kidding Scott!).
• Gabrielle at Daily Tomorrow because she already thinks we think she’s a little odd with her Go Bags.
• Angelique at Breaking the Mirror because she’s a very honest gal and probably won’t skimp on the quirks.

Image: SXC

Post from: Blisstree

Brain Break: 6 Unspectacular Quirks Of Mine