Spring is here! Which means plenty of sunshine, rain and unfortunately--pollen. But don’t worry; by taking these precautions you can limit your exposure to pollen and enjoy the springtime without your allergies going crazy.
Colds and flus can be especially problematic for those with asthma or other respiratory conditions. Since your airways are already sensitive, the virus does more damage. And this time of year, cold and flu viruses are abundant. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to avoid getting sick even during winter.
Secondhand smoke is a common asthma trigger for children. However, as a new study has proven, it can be hard to get reliable information on exposure to secondhand smoke from parents; either because they’re unaware of the exposure or because they’re trying to hide it.
You may think that pets are bad for asthma. And you’d be right. Sort of.
It’s true that pets are a common asthma trigger-- proteins in their skin, saliva, and urine cause allergic reactions in 30% of asthmatics. Not only that, their fur collects several other asthma triggers such as dust, pollen, and mold. So if your child already struggles with asthma, getting a dog or other furry friend is probably not the wisest choice.
For many parents with allergic kids, allergies aren't just annoying; they’re terrifying. Allergens including everyday foods like peanuts are everywhere, and a small mistake could lead to hospitalization or even death. That’s why a new bill requiring schools to stock epinephrine is uniting what’s been a particularly divided Congress.
Did you know that hospitalizations due to asthma peak 17 days after labor day – or this year, on September 19th? While most people think of “asthma season” as later in the year, September is an epidemic month for asthma. Many people ask why, and it is a good question. Here are a few reasons asthma peaks in September.
It was once thought that physical activities like sports and exercise were bad for children with asthma. Many kids missed out on the games their peers played and as a result were sometimes looked at as weak or fragile.
A recent study by Johns Hopkins Hospital shows that overweight and obese children are more likely to suffer asthma symptoms than normal-weight children.
The study looked at 5 to 17 year-old asthmatics from minority groups living in an urban environment. Over a course of 12 months, the researchers tested the amount of air pollutants (specifically nitrogen dioxide and “fine particulate matter” if you were wondering) in each child’s room.
Bad news, everyone. A new study has once again confirmed that fast food is bad for you. This time fast food has been linked to childhood asthma.
Using data from 500,000 kids in over 50 countries, the University of Auckland concluded that young children who eat fast food three or more times a week have a 27% greater risk of developing severe asthma.
Good news for asthmatic mice everywhere—scientists at the Hunter Medical Research Institute in Australia have successfully prevented asthma attacks in mice.
They estimate the same treatment could be available for humans in a decade or less. Though that’s still a long ways off, this is a huge step forward especially when you consider how quickly asthma is growing worldwide.
According to an article by the Philadelphia Inquirer, “for those who live in cities and industrial areas, the presence of wheezing and asthma increases.” No one has yet been able to prove that polluted city air causes asthma (though many think this), but we know it definitely makes asthma symptoms worse.
There is good news for those fighting for smoking bans around the world. Just five years after a nationwide smoking ban was enacted in England, childhood asthma related hospital visits are down 12.3 percent. The findings were reported through the journal Pediatrics by the Imperial College London.
