Articles tagged with Asthma
Researchers found that obese individuals were twice as likely to be diagnosed with asthma, but not more responsive airways. Underweight individuals, on the other hand, experienced increased airway responsiveness and reduced lung function.
Research suggests that heavy smoking by parents can lead to reduced visits to the doctor for asthma in their children. The study found a significant decrease in hospital visits when parents reported higher levels of smoking at home, particularly if the mother smoked. Age and family size also influenced visit frequency.
Researchers found that mouse allergen is a significant contributor to childhood asthma in urban areas, with 18% of children allergic to mice experiencing more severe asthma. Doctors recommend testing for mouse allergy and recommending aggressive extermination of mice.
A new study by UC Berkeley researchers reveals that premature birth and low birthweight significantly exacerbate asthma symptoms in children when exposed to smog. Children born prematurely or with low birthweight are more likely to experience severe wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath on days with high air pollution levels.
A systematic review of herbal medicines for asthma treatment found limited conclusive evidence, with most trials of poor quality and potential side effects. Researchers conclude that properly designed studies are urgently needed to assess the safety and treatment value of herbal medicines.
Children from poor, minority communities are more likely to have asthma and suffer severe symptoms. A recent study found that almost half of high-absentee children self-reported asthma despite having worse symptoms compared to low-absentees.
Research highlights significant declines in lung function growth from air pollution and long-term effects of asthma on lung capacity. Studies found that children exposed to air pollution showed a 0.9% decline in annual lung function ability, while those with long-standing asthma experienced irreversible reductions in lung function.
Children with severe asthma are at risk of bone loss due to inadequate dietary calcium. Taking a daily calcium supplement can help prevent this condition. Researchers found that only 5-10% of children at the study site were taking a calcium supplement, highlighting the need for increased awareness and supplementation.
A study by the Childhood Asthma Management Program Research Group found that inhaled steroids are a safe and effective treatment option for mild asthma, reducing hospitalizations and urgent care visits. The medication also showed no significant long-term adverse effects on growth or development.
A study by the NIH/NHLBI confirms inhaled corticosteroids provide superior asthma control in children with mild to moderate asthma. However, growth rate was slightly reduced in the first year, but this effect was short-term and temporary.
A six-year study found inhaled steroids to be safe and effective for children with mild-to-moderate asthma, reducing hospitalizations and emergency room visits by up to 43%. The treatment also improved lung growth and reduced symptoms, contradicting previous concerns about long-term risks.
A study found that caregivers' problem-solving skills and positive expectations have a modest but potential clinical importance in reducing asthma symptoms. Caregivers with superior problem-solving skills helped children wheeze for fewer hours, while positive expectations improved functioning ability.
Research found that a poor diet, particularly low intakes of vegetables and vitamin E, significantly increases the risk of wheeze in children with asthma symptoms. The study suggests that a Western diet may be an important contributing factor to the rising prevalence of asthma and allergies in developed countries.
Researchers found that workers with occupational asthma are at higher risk for hospitalization due to respiratory disease and asthma. Clinically silent acid reflux was also discovered in asthma patients, with a high prevalence rate suggesting a potential common association between the two conditions.
A randomized controlled study found a modest but significant reduction in asthma risk at 12 months in high-risk infants through a multifaceted intervention program. The program included avoidance of house dust mites, pet allergens, and tobacco smoke, as well as breastfeeding promotion and partially hydrolyzed formula supplementation.
A study found that a specialized nurse intervention significantly reduced asthma hospitalizations and missed work days, while also lowering healthcare costs. The program provided social support and education to patients, resulting in improved quality of life and substantial cost savings.
The NHLBI's IMPACT study will investigate whether patients with mild asthma require daily anti-inflammatory medication. The trial, which started recently, will compare the effectiveness of inhaled corticosteroids and leukotriene modifiers.
The Columbia University Asthma Coalition aims to improve asthma care among high-risk populations through a three-pronged approach. Researchers will implement culturally appropriate programs, increase public awareness, and form partnerships with primary care providers to ensure implementation of National Asthma Education and Prevention ...
A study of rural teenagers found lower asthma rates among farm-raised teens, while respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis in infancy strongly correlates with later development of asthma and other breathing issues. Asthma experts emphasize the need for tailored management strategies addressing different stages of the disease.
Research suggests that high levels of environmental endotoxin in homes with sensitive children may drive the immune system to produce cytokines that inhibit processes leading to asthma. Conversely, homes with children who are not sensitized to common allergens have significantly higher endotoxin levels.
A study found high levels of dust mite and cockroach allergens in U.S. homes, linked to asthma symptoms. In Canada, almost six in ten asthmatics lack effective control of their condition, despite feeling well-managed, according to recent research.
A national survey found that over 45% of US homes have bedding with dust mite allergen concentrations exceeding 2 micrograms per gram of dust, a level associated with allergy development. The study also revealed that 17% of household occupants reported cockroach infestations in the year prior to the study.
A new study by Johns Hopkins researchers found that older adults with asthma are hospitalized at higher rates due to more severe symptoms and co-morbid illnesses. Earlier diagnosis and better medical care can help lower these hospital admission rates.
A landmark survey reveals that 57% of Canadians with asthma do not have their illness adequately controlled. Many patients and physicians underestimate the severity of asthma, leading to poor control of symptoms.
Research found that asthma negatively affects the sex lives of nearly two-thirds of patients, with psychological characteristics like depressive symptoms increasing the risk. The study suggests a potential link between asthma symptoms and sexual activity, highlighting the need for healthcare providers to address this issue.
A new study found that asthma patients who experience more depressive symptoms have a lower quality of life. The study also showed that household income is negatively correlated with the level of depressive symptoms among patients.
A study published in Thorax found that children who had measles before age 3 and had two or more younger siblings were less likely to develop asthma. The study, which followed over 300 people for 30 years, suggests that exposure to certain infections in infancy may help protect against asthma.
A National Jewish Medical and Research Center study, funded by the EPA, investigates the effectiveness of HEPA filters and electrostatic air filtration systems in removing allergens and irritants from homes of children with asthma. The study aims to determine if these interventions can help lower asthma severity in some children.
A new study published in Thorax suggests that daily or weekly use of paracetamol may be associated with an increased risk of asthma. The research found that frequent users of paracetamol were more likely to develop severe asthma and experience rhinitis, highlighting the potential risks of this analgesic.
A study found that acutely ill asthmatics have a low pH level in their expired air, which normalizes with glucocorticoid treatment. This discovery may lead to novel therapies aimed at restoring the natural pH balance of the airway.
A phase II clinical trial of ENBREL (etanercept) in patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis has shown promising results. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved ENBREL to treat moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis, as well as a new indication for juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.
The Phase I/II study of NUVANCE in adult patients with moderate asthma demonstrated the potential of IL-4 inhibition to improve lung function and control asthma symptoms. Dr. Jonathan Corren and Dr. Jan Agosti presented results at the AAAAI Annual Meeting.
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) is funding seven asthma coalitions in communities with high asthma death rates to develop innovative programs for improving asthma care. The coalitions aim to eliminate disparities in asthma morbidity and mortality among children, minorities, and low-income individuals.
Respiratory problems caused by workplace exposure affect various jobs, including farming, seafood industry, food processing, and manufacturing. Employers can take simple technological fixes to reduce worker risks.
Scientists at Human Genome Sciences and the CRC Beatson Institute discovered a new protein that blocks a key receptor on eosinophils, cells that induce allergic reactions. This breakthrough could lead to the development of a new drug to treat asthma and allergies.
A new collaboration aims to provide comprehensive asthma management to poor urban communities through a team-based approach, combining healthcare professionals and community health workers. The goal is to improve prevention-oriented care and close follow-up for low-income children with asthma.
A new study found that 16% of insured individuals who use inhaled beta-agonists for short-term asthma relief overuse their medication, while 63% who use inhaled corticosteroids for long-term relief underuse them. The study also revealed a gender bias, with women more likely to underuse and men more likely to overuse.
A Phase I/II trial of NUVANCE, an investigational once-a-week inhaled asthma treatment, suggests the drug helped stabilize lung function for up to 12 weeks following discontinuation of inhaled corticosteroids. The treatment was generally well tolerated, with minimal decline in forced expiratory volume.
Researchers have identified two genes contributing to asthma development: interleukin IL4 and IL13. Decreasing their activity may help reduce asthma attacks, with potential applications to other complex genetic conditions.
The University of Michigan School of Public Health is leading a $12.5 million project to improve the quality of life for children with asthma. The initiative aims to establish local coalitions that implement programs reducing hospital stays, emergency room visits, and enhancing asthma management. Faculty from U-M's asthma research team...
A new study by researchers at the University of Southern California found that children with asthma are significantly more affected by severe air pollution than other children. Living in communities with high levels of pollutants is associated with higher rates of bronchitis and phlegm among children with a doctor diagnosis of asthma.
The 9th annual meeting of the European Respiratory Society will address various topics such as lung cancer, asthma, chronic bronchitis, and sleep apnea. The congress will also feature discussions on artificial ventilation methods, non-invasive ventilation, and respiratory problems faced by mountaineers, deepsea divers, and astronauts.
A new study by University at Buffalo exercise scientists reveals that dehydration can induce bronchospasm before exercise and exacerbate exercise-induced asthma. Researchers found that individuals with asthma are more sensitive to dehydration, leading to reduced respiratory capacity and increased difficulty during physical activity.
The study found that the percentage of American Indian/Alaska Native children with asthma symptoms is similar to that of all US children. The authors highlight the need for updated research due to increasing rates of asthma prevalence and severity in the country, which are strongly associated with poverty.
Researchers found that epithelial cells contain an anti-virus alarm system which triggers persistent inflammation in asthma. The study challenges the traditional view of asthma as an allergic response and suggests a new approach to treatment.
Breastfeeding significantly reduces asthma risk in children, while obesity may increase risk. Snoring and high blood pressure in pregnancy are also linked to pre-eclampsia.
A study by Johns Hopkins researcher Gregory Diette found that 56% of children with nighttime asthma attacks missed one or more days of school due to their condition. Parents also suffered, with 30% reporting missing work on days following their child's nighttime symptoms.
A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that writing about stressful experiences improved symptoms for nearly half of patients with asthma and arthritis. After four months, the patients who wrote down their feelings showed significant clinical improvement compared to those who wrote about their daily ...
Researchers found that patients with severe asthma who use intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) in conjunction with steroids have fewer hospitalizations for asthma attacks than those using only steroids. IVIG also reduces lung inflammation and increases steroid sensitivity, making it an effective treatment option for people with asthma.
Asthma researchers identified two molecules, interleukin-4 and interleukin-13, that connect to a specific receptor and initiate inflammation, increasing the number of goblet cells producing excessive mucus. This finding paves the way for developing more effective treatments that control the disease at its cellular level.
A global plan has been launched to cut childhood asthma deaths by 50% through improved education, increased accessibility of effective anti-asthma therapies, and enhanced research into the disease's causes and treatment. The plan targets significant reductions in mortality, morbidity, and school days lost due to asthma.
The NHLBI's new web site, Asthma Management Model System (AMMS), provides an interactive platform for clinicians to access the latest research and guidelines on chronic asthma management. The system allows users to formulate research questions, retrieve key databases, and analyze long-term asthma management problems.
A new study by Ohio State University researchers found that nearly one-third of children with asthma developed symptoms after a dental visit. The study suggests that allergens from dental procedures may be a key culprit.
A recent study found that black teen-agers with severe asthma are three times more likely to be steroid-resistant compared to their white counterparts. The study also revealed that children with steroid-resistant asthma are more likely to be African-American and require larger amounts of oral steroids.
A study by National Jewish researchers found that families with unexpressed emotions and disorganization are more likely to have children with asthma who skip taking medication. The researchers also found that knowledge of asthma's symptoms and treatments alone is not enough to ensure a child will take medication as prescribed.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine developed a 'risk index' using patient survey data to predict undesirable outcomes in asthma patients. The study found that factors such as recent oral steroid use, high beta agonist puffs per day, and non-white race can indicate future attacks.
A study found that family coordinators significantly improved asthma management in Latino and African-American families. The coordinators guided the families through four phases of self-regulation, increasing their knowledge and compliance with prescribed therapy.
A study by Columbia University Irving Medical Center reveals that inner-city asthma patients often rely on emergency rooms due to insufficient disease management. The research highlights the urgent need for comprehensive asthma intervention in Harlem, targeting community health workers to educate and support patients.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins found that deep breaths can relax lung muscles and reduce wheezing in non-asthmatics by up to 80%. However, asthmatic patients showed minimal improvement from taking deep breaths before exposure to a contracting drug. This new finding could lead to the development of new asthma treatments.
A recent study by National Jewish Health found that no significant side effects or differences were found between beclomethasone and theophylline in children with asthma. The research suggests that these medications can be used without concern for behavioral problems, but may cause changes in pre-school age children.