Asthma News and Research

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Asthma is a common inflammatory disease affecting the airways that leads to shortness of breath, coughing and wheezing. Symptoms range from mild to severe but are generally manageable with appropriate treatment.

Caterpillar fungi may benefit asthma patients

Research shows that cordycepin, extracted from a group of rare parasitic caterpillar fungi of the genus Cordyceps, has unusual anti-inflammatory properties that may make it a good candidate for treating conditions such as asthma and rheumatoid arthritis.

16 Nov 2012

No link between asthma and poor educational performance

Research led by Queen Mary, University of London has found that having asthma is not linked to poorer scores in national school examinations. In contrast, ethnicity and social deprivation were associated with poorer educational outcomes in the study, published in the journal PLOS ONE.

16 Nov 2012

Study examines how anxiety sensitivity thwarts efforts of smokers with asthma to quit smoking

A new University of Cincinnati study examines how anxiety sensitivity can thwart the efforts of smokers with asthma to quit smoking. This new direction of research from Alison McLeish, a UC assistant professor of psychology, will be presented on Nov.17, at the 46th annual convention of the Association of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT) in National Harbor, Md.

15 Nov 2012

Viewpoints: Voters want Medicare protected in 'grand bargain;' Increases in taxes can't cover the 'fiscal cliff'; Kids' health needs more attention

As the ranking member on the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Domestic Monetary Policy and Technology, let me simply state the hard truth. To avoid the fiscal cliff and to get our budget deficit and the national debt under control, we need to do three things simultaneously: cut spending, increase revenue and have the courage to put everything on the table in a responsible, bipartisan manner.

15 Nov 2012

Triclosan can contribute to increased risk of allergies in children

Triclosan - an antibacterial chemical found in toothpaste and other products - can contribute to an increased risk of allergy development in children. This comes from the Norwegian Environment and Childhood Asthma Study, in which the Norwegian Institute of Public Health is involved. Similar results are reported in the USA.

15 Nov 2012

Minor symptoms a big deal in nasal polyposis

Asthma does not have any significant influence on quality of life among patients with nasal polyposis, but it may increase the intensity of individual minor symptoms such as headache, or fullness in the ears, report researchers.

14 Nov 2012

Obesity and dental cavities increase and become epidemic as homeless children age

Obesity and dental cavities increase and become epidemic as children living below the poverty level age, according to nurse researchers from the Case Western Reserve University and the University of Akron.

14 Nov 2012

As Congress ponders spending cuts, health care industry, advocates urge Medicare be spared

Congress returns today and begins efforts to negotiate a budget deal that would avert the "fiscal cliff" of automatic spending cuts and tax increases, which are slated to take effect early next year.

14 Nov 2012

Neuroticism can be good for health under certain circumstances

Under certain circumstances neuroticism can be good for your health, according to a University of Rochester Medical Center study showing that some self-described neurotics also tended to have the lowest levels of Interleukin 6 (IL-6), a biomarker for inflammation and chronic disease.

14 Nov 2012

Pathway between maternal obesity and childhood asthma nonallergic

Maternal pre-pregnancy bodyweight is associated with the risk for children developing asthma and wheezing by the age of 7 years, Danish research shows.

13 Nov 2012

Hormonal component to respiratory symptoms in women

Changes in respiratory symptoms in women may be governed partly by their menstrual cycles, research suggests.

13 Nov 2012

Calcium-related hormone could help identify pneumonia

Serum procalcitonin measurements could improve the accuracy of pneumonia diagnoses when chest radiographs give indeterminate results, indicate US study findings.

12 Nov 2012

Overcleanliness in childhood may increase risk for peanut allergy

An increased incidence of peanut allergy in children from more wealthy families supports the “hygiene hypothesis” that overcleanliness may promote the onset of childhood allergies, say US researchers.

9 Nov 2012

Leading allergy organizations release report that sheds light on angioedema

With today's modern medicine, misdiagnoses may be unexpected and surprising. But when symptoms of an unknown and uncommon illness mimic a number of other conditions, it can be difficult for medical professionals to properly diagnose and treat patients. That's why four leading allergy/immunology organizations have announced the release of a report to help set a new standard for a commonly misdiagnosed, under-recognized and under treated condition known as angioedema, the rapid swelling of deep layers of skin and tissue.

9 Nov 2012

Internet may foresee height of allergy suffering

While it's believed that Nostradamus' prophecies predicted many historical events, his digital successor, the Internet, may be foreseeing the height of allergy suffering. According to allergist Leonard Bielory, M.D., American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) board member, Google search volume is shedding light on the most common allergy symptoms, when searches peak and how they pertain to pollen types.

9 Nov 2012

Respiratory symptoms differ significantly during different stages of the menstrual cycle

Respiratory symptoms vary significantly during different stages of the menstrual cycle, with higher frequencies during the mid-luteal to mid-follicular stages, according to a new study.

9 Nov 2012

Lone star tick causes alpha-gal meat sensitivity in regional population

Meat lovers living in the central and southern regions of the country might be opting for a vegetarian lifestyle if meat comes with an unwanted side of a life-threatening allergic reaction. According to a study presented at the Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI), the lone star tick inhabiting these regions is the primary reason for what's known as a meat induced alpha-gal allergic reaction.

9 Nov 2012

Genetic ancestry may exacerbate asthma among African American males

African American males are among those at greatest risk for severe asthma attacks. In a new study presented at the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology's (ACAAI) Annual Scientific Meeting in Anaheim, Calif. Nov. 8-13, researchers assessed the relationship between genetic ancestry and severe asthma.

9 Nov 2012

Only 15% of patients with anaphylaxis receive epinephrine from paramedics

Epinephrine is the first line of treatment for patients suffering from anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction.

9 Nov 2012

More than half of allergic children can tolerate baked hen's eggs

Avoiding sweet treats like pumpkin bread and cookies this holiday season might not be necessary for children with egg allergies. New studies presented at the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) Annual Scientific Meeting found 56 percent of allergic children can tolerate baked hen's egg, while 55 percent outgrow their egg allergy entirely.

9 Nov 2012