The 5 A's of Smoking Cessation are asking, advising, assessing, assisting, and arranging. "Number one is asking the patient whether the patient smokes or it has smoked in the past and getting details will be important", explains Dr. Veronica Palmero-Gonzalez, Pulmonologist with South Miami Hospital. The following is advising the patient to quit smoking as…...

E-cigarettes could be seen as a step to start quitting smoking, but Michael Hernandez, Critical Care & Pulmonary Medicine Physician, at South Miami Hospital, says there are no conclusive studies that to reduce the use of conventional cigarettes might help the use of electronic ones. "In regards to cessation, it doesn't quite succeed patients who…...

The first myths about smoking is that nicotine replacement therapy does not work, but Dr. Veronica Palmero-Gonzalez, Pulmonologist with South Miami Hospital, says it works. “There’s plenty of research showing that when you add these methods to the plan when quitting, they increase their rate of successful and also decrease the chances of smoking again…...

A lot of people try to quit smoking several times, but eventually succeed. Michael Hernandez, Critical Care; Pulmonary Medicine Physician at South Miami Hospital, says quitting smoking is really though. "That's why I tell adolescents don't get started, because the earlier that you're addicted the harder it is to quit because your brain has not…...

Exposure to tobacco smoke, people with asthma who smoke, occupational exposure to dust and chemicals, exposure to fumes, age, and genetics are risk factors for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Dr. Keith Jamal Robinson, Pulmonologist with Baptist Health South Florida, says only 20% of smokers develop COPD. "But the folks who have a diagnosis, 80%…...

Dr. Javier Perez-Fernandez, Critical Care and Pulmonary Medicine Physician with Baptist Hospital and West Kendall Baptist Hospital, explains Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) affects the lungs and breathing. "People with COPD have difficulty breathing. It is not a hereditary disease, it is an acquired disease that happens at adult age." He also points out it…...

According to Dr. Veronica Palmero-Gonzalez, Pulmonologist with South Miami Hospital, secondhand smoke has potential risk for health, including development of lung cancer, COPD and chronic bronchitis. "In children it is particularly important, because they may develop asthma, ear infections, and respiratory infection." She also recommends creating more free smoking spaces, to prevent problems from secondhand…...

Exposure to tobacco smoke, people with asthma who smoke, occupational exposure (dust and chemicals), exposure to fumes, age, and genetics are some of the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) risk factors. Dr. Raul Valor, Pulmonologist with Baptist Health South Florida, says patients that come from Central and South America, where they used firewood for cooking…...