Improve asthma symptoms by avoiding air pollution

Asthma symptoms kicking up? Check your exposure to air pollution — New article shows individuals can improve asthma symptoms by avoiding air pollution – People who suffer from asthma may think there’s not a lot they can do to control their asthma besides properly taking medications and avoiding allergic triggers.

Secondhand smoke exposure increases asthma readmission for children in hospitals

Secondhand smoke exposure increases odds of hospital asthma readmission for children – A new study shows that exposure to secondhand smoke at home or in the car dramatically increases the odds of children being readmitted to the hospital within a year of being admitted for asthma. The study, published in the journal Pediatrics, raises the possibility that measurement of tobacco exposure could be used in clinical practice to target smoking cessation efforts and reduce the likelihood of future hospitalizations.

Asthma children are more likely to be bullied

Study explores why children with asthma are more likely to be bullied – There is a pertinent question – why children with asthma are at an increased risk of being bullied. A new study highlights the need for doctors to talk to children with asthma about bullying, as well as the impact the disease could be having in other areas of their life.

Asthma and allergies drug Singulair as generic version approved

FDA approves first generic versions of Singulair to treat asthma, allergies – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first generic versions of Singulair (montelukast sodium) for use in adults and children to control asthma symptoms and to help relieve symptoms of indoor and outdoor allergies.

Chloroflouorocarbons OTC asthma inhalers will no longer be made or sold in US

FDA: Over-the-counter asthma inhalers containing chloroflouorocarbons (CFCs) will no longer be made or sold after Dec_31, 2011 — Users of Primatene Mist will need a prescription product to treat their asthma – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says users of epinephrine inhalers containing chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) should plan now to get a prescription for a replacement product because these inhalers will not be made or sold after Dec_31, 2011.

Asthma can be treated with Tocilizumab rheumatoid arthritis drug

Lead researcher, Dr Manuel Ferreira from QIMR said the findings suggest that a drug currently used to treat rheumatoid arthritis may be effective to treat asthma. – Asthma sufferers now can be treated with a drug used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, revealed by researchers in a new study.

New asthma gene discovered in African Americans

National asthma genetics consortium releases first results — Discovers new asthma gene in African-Americans, replicates 4 others – A novel gene is discovered associated with the asthma disease in African-Americans and African-Caribbeans. The polymorphism, located in a gene called PYHIN1, was not present in European-Americans and may be the first asthma susceptibility gene variant specific to populations of African descent.

New class of asthma, COPD drugs identified

Researchers move closer to identifying new class of asthma, COPD drugs – Researchers in Baltimore have identified new compounds which relax airway muscles and may provide relief from shortness of breath for patients with COPD and asthma.

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