better breathing

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.

For those with severe asthma, medications taken through a nebulizer or inhaler aren’t always enough to keep them out of the hospital. But now, a new treatment may be able to do just that.

Recently, the FDA approved bronchial thermoplasty—the first even non-pharmaceutical asthma treatment.

This month one of our most popular nebulizers, the PARI Vios, has literally gone green. Both the Standard and Pediatric models now come in Emerald Green rather than the old Blue and Yellow. The new design is part of PARI’s commitment to going green for a better tomorrow.

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.

If you’re one of the 26 million Americans who live with asthma, your diet has a big effect on the management of your condition. The most important thing is simply to eat healthy; obesity is known to exacerbate asthma. And of course, don’t eat any foods you’re allergic to as they can act as asthma triggers. In addition to those two vital practices, here are some foods that may help ease your asthma symptoms.

Unlike many major diseases such as malaria, AIDS, and tuberculosis, asthma is more prevalent in the United States and other developed countries than it is in less developed countries. There are different theories as to why. For example, the Hygiene Hypothesis states “excessive cleanliness interrupts the normal development of the immune system” leading to an increase in allergies and allergic diseases such as asthma.

Obstructive sleep apnea is a common sleeping disorder in which one’s airways become blocked during sleep, causing pauses in breathing. This disturbs the sleeper’s rest and can lead to symptoms such as tiredness, lack of focus, and irritability throughout the day.

Cystic Fibrosis is a serious, progressive condition which requires professional treatment and medication to manage. Currently, there is no cure. However, there are some simple things those with the condition can do at home to minimize CF complications.

It’s not easy for children to use inhalers, and those who don’t use them properly don’t get the full dose of asthma medication they need. That’s why products like nebulizers and spacers are so popular. Spacers are used along with an inhaler. They hold the child’s medication so that he or she can inhale it in several breathes, instead of just one. But a new study has shown that most parents don’t know how to have their kid properly use a spacer.

Washington DC is one of the worst cities in the country for pediatric asthma. For one thing, it’s a city and cities are commonly filled with air pollutants. It’s also hot and humid, allowing mold and other allergens to grow freely. But one of the most serious problems is simply a lack of education.

In some cases snoring is a sign of a serious medical problem. In other cases, it’s not. Either way it can be a serious relationship problem—especially if your partner has made an effort to sleep through the snoring (ear plugs, noise machines, whatever) and you’ve done nothing to stop it.

If you need a little extra oxygen, don’t worry—there are plenty of ways to get it! From traditional face masks to innovative oxygen eyeglasses, here are the most popular oxygen delivery methods.

Humidifiers treat congestion and irritated airways by adding moisture to the air. This moisturizing mist can be warm or cool, depending on your preferences. Just what temperature is right for you? Read on to find out.

A new study published in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology says that two-thirds of all asthmatics also have an allergy. But many may not realize it.

Previously, it was known that children with asthma were more likely to have allergies, but it was thought this did not apply to adults. However, the new study shows that a whopping 75% of asthmatics between ages 20 and 40 and 65% of asthmatics above age 55 have at least one allergy.