Emphysema is an oppressive respiratory disorder which results from the disintegration of the alveoli, i.e., the tissues where the interchange of gas with blood takes place. Destruction in any large scale will reduce the gas transfer area and the process of gas transfer itself, leading to oxygen starvation or hypoxia. When conventional treatment with bronchodilators, corticosteroids etc. have ceased to give relief, one has to resort to a method known as Long Term Oxygen Therapy or LTOT.
If LTOT is to be effective, then one has to inhale at least 15 hours of oxygen-enriched air containing at least 25-28% oxygen which corresponds to a flow rate of 2-3 liters/min if a nasal prong is used. The idea is to maintain an oxygen level of 88 to 94% saturation (liter value). Higher saturation has adverse effects and should be tried only under close medical supervision.
Complications
Chronic hypoxia sets in a chain of reactions. The body tries to compensate the hypoxia by increasing cardiac output and increasing the concentration of red corpuscles by producing more of them in the bone marrow. Both are effective to an extent but the oxygen demand, as the disease progresses, cannot be fully met. This leads to the development of a condition called cor pulmonale’. This gradually leads to pulmonary hypertension, increasing the load on the right side of the heart. The right cardiac chambers dilate to accommodate and gradually leads to hypertrophy. The end of these chain reactions is right-sided heart failure and death.
Another complication is the alveoli becoming weaker, and then starting to break. When this assumes larger scale, vacant spaces are formed called bullae. This reduces the gas transfer area as well as the capacity of the lung to expand. These are often have to be surgically removed to allow more space for the lung to expand. In the ultimate case, lung transplant becomes the only choice. Another scenario is a large-scale disintegration of alveoli that can cause pneumothorax, which is a condition in which the chest cavity is filled with air and the lungs collapse. This is a very serious condition if not fatal.
The damages of emphysema symptoms like severe asthma symptoms and emphysema itself are not reversible. At best, one can expect to slow down the progress of the disease. Under this scenario, prevention is any day a better choice. The foremost step is to stop tobacco smoking both actively and passively. Similarly, one should avoid known lung irritants. Avoid weight gain by having nutritious diet and maintaining physical fitness.
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Features for lease deals: Chevy Equinox and Chevy Traverse
Read moreThere are certain features of the Chevy Equinox and the Chevy Traverse that are considered to be deal makers when it comes to looking for Chevy lease deals.
Some of these features are:
Powertrain
The Chevrolet Traverse comes with the LLT engine, with a capacity of 3,564 cc (3.564 L; 217.5 cu in) DOHC V6 with VVT. There is also the direct injection. Other Lambda-based vehicles also showcase this powertrain in the 2009 model year. Power to the front and all the wheels of the vehicle are provided with a 6-speed automatic transmission. The Traverse further boasts of 281 horse power (210 kW) with the torque at 266 pounds per feet in the LS and LT models. The LTZ model offers a dual exhaust along with the delivery of 288 horse power (215 kilo Watt) and torque that comes in at 270 pounds per feet.
Design
The name Traverse was used initially as a concept car during the 2003 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. This concept was replaced by the launch of the Chevrolet Equinox 2005 model year. Inspired by the 2005 sequel concept, the production Traverse’s design has a chevron-shaped grille that is very similar to the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. The Traverse comes with a unique sheet metal that is very different from the other Lambda crossovers, except for the doors, which have been kept pretty similar.
Marketing
The NBC drama My Own Worst Enemy showcased the Chevy Traverse as an example of product placement by General Motors, along with the new Chevrolet Camaro. However, the show was canceled in mid-November 2008 due to various reasons.
The Chevy Traverse then made a come back in the series called The Mentalist and also on the remake of Hawaii Five-0.
Dealers who give Chevy traverse lease deals often mention that contrary to popular belief, the Traverse is not really named after the city in Michigan state, Traverse City.
Some features to remember for the Chevy Traverse are the 2009 single exhaust model that comes with a 3.6 L LLT V6 engine and 6 speed 6T75 transmission.
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Smallest Compact Cars
Read moreIn large, bustling cities that come with the typical lack of space, huge traffic jams during rush hours and mismanaged parking spots, compact cars really do make a world of difference. Small, compact cars can help slip through short, narrow lanes, though perhaps not as well as a two wheeler would. The aim is to spot that one compact car that focusses on all your needs and also helps stay sane in the city traffic and can squeeze into the shortest drive ways.
One of the smallest cars was seen in the UK, the original Smart Fortwo that could be parked at right angles to the kerb. It was long instead of being wide. Here are other similar compact cars to consider:
Renault Twizy hatchback
Perhaps the tiniest, narrowest car in its segment, the RenualtTwizy is only 2,338mm long and has a seating arrangement wherein passengers sit one behind another. A kitschy all-electric car, the Renault Twizy has no side doors or windows, but it certainly is eye catching. A standard, Spartan interior with a tweak makes this vehicle little more practical than a two wheeler like a scooter. The interiors tend to get cold in the winter month, but summer months are comfortable. It is a tiny vehicle, probably not the most practical for someone looking for a compact car in the broadest send of the word. It’s easy to clean though!Smart ForTwo hatchback
Smart ForTwo is probably the first car one thinks of when talking about compact cars. It is hard to imagine how Smart managed it – even the latest, slightly larger model is very tiny. From nose to tail, the car measures about 2,695mm and happens to be just small enough for perpendicular parking. The name Smart ForTwo itself suggests that it has a seating for two people only, while its bigger contemporary, the Smart ForFour seats about 4 people and is bigger in size with a surprisingly large boot that is comparable to the Ford Fiesta.
The Smart ForTwo, however, comes with a clever crosswind assistant that helps the vehicle remain unaffected as it drives through winds at a high speed.