Asthma is a respiratory disorder and out of the many causal factors, emotional stress is a significant one. Asthma has also been linked with major depression earlier. It is a chronic condition and any chronic traumatic condition is generally known to cause higher than normal suicidal ideation.

12 percent of the sample population considered suffered from Asthma, 8.7 contemplated suicide sometime in their lives and 4.2 percent actually attempted suicide. In comparison to the general population the chances of asthma patients attempting suicide seems to be 50 percent more even after controlling other suicidal risk factors such as alcohol dependence and depression. It has been seen that cigarette smoking that is a risk factor for the development of asthma as well as suicidal thinking in independent capacity seemed to bear no relation to the link between asthma and suicide attempts. The study did not include the issue of the asthma drug Singulair having any role in inducing suicidal thinking in the asthma patients. It was found that even after controlling other factors like anxiety and panic disorders the association between asthma and suicide attempts remained.

According to allergy and asthma specialist Richard A. Nicklas, MD of George Washington Medical Centre, the research is still in the initial stages and no solid inferences can be drawn immediately. However, according to him when there is an increase in the pollen count, that is when the allergic conditions increase, the asthma patients do get depressed. Their cognitive thinking and power of concentration decrease and they tend to become more irritated but not actually suicidal.

In March, the FDA initiated a study between the asthma and allergy drug Singulair and suicidal thinking based on case reports. It asked the drug manufacturer to provide information on the administration of the drug and the observed behavior of people who took part in the Singular studies. The FDA also sought information on the side effects experienced on administration Singulair and other leukotriene modifiers including Accolate and Zyflo from patients and health care providers.

However, the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology and the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology questioned the investigation, and Merck, the manufacturer of Singulair, said that it was based only on a few case reports and not on any well designed study; and out of 11,000 people who took part in 40 clinical trials sponsored by Merck, there were no suicides reported. The FDA now asks the asthma patients to consult their doctors as soon as they experience any suicidal thinking as the physicians are in the best position to decide if any prescribed drug is appropriate for them.

Though the study only gives a rudimentary possibility of asthma causing suicidal tendencies, it is of some significance to physicians and patients who should take steps to prevent or stop any such developments in asthma patients.

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via: CBS News

Earlier, most of us used to believe that only heavy smokers are susceptible to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease while others with healthy lung functioning were considered free from this threat. However, this notion has been shattered by the new study. Moreover, it has given a reason to worry about, especially for those who have chronic cough and phlegm, they are also at higher risk of developing COPD.

We should not forget that COPD is a deadly disease, which is the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S. alone. However, this study whereas brings out the fact that not only smokers but anyone with chronic cough and phlegm may be encircled by this deadly disease at the same time it suggests that one should not take chronic cough and phlegm lightly and must go for medical treatment immediately.

Image credit: Hotel Interactive

Via: Science Daily

Conclusion based on around 22 countries worldwide puts forth a shocking equation of asthma and wealth gap, which seems to be running parallel. Shockingly enough, where in unhygienic Indian cities like Mumbai kids susceptibility to asthma symptoms amounts just up to 2 %, so-called hygienic cities like that of Netherlands goes up to 59%.

As a whole, we could say that asthma rates among kids of wealthier countries are almost double if compared to less affluent nations. This weird equation asks for a deeper analysis, as to:

• How asthma is connected with wealth level?

• Why kids of wealthier nations are more vulnerable to asthma?

• How this enhanced level of asthma could be brought down?

Whatever comes out, finally? We can’t keep a blind eye to the fact that kids in wealthier nations often enjoy higher stands of living that include better hygiene, better health facilities, more reliance on indoor games, etc. All this somewhere is laming our kids, especially on health front, which is confirmed form the a fact according to which in America alone since 1980 there has been a greater than 100 percent increase in annual asthma-related deaths in the U.S. The following quip by krenz4 is a wonderful derision against these so-called hygienic societies:

…the human body needs some germs to operate properly. Wealthier American children have been sanitized and sterilized so much their bodies reject anything naturally occurring in their lives.

On the contrary, in developing countries, which are hygienically inferior this (asthmatic) rate is comparatively lower; but has started spiraling there too, now - thanks to rapid urbanization and fast industrialization. Well, not clear the reason behind this disparity. However, may be that kids’ exposure to some bacteria helps them develop resistance against bacteria-borne allergies, particularly asthma. It doesn’t mean that kids should be exposed intentionally to some bacteria or unhygienic conditions.

However, their mechanism should, at least, be allowed to develop some resistance against such common allergies; otherwise, in the name of providing kids with comforts, we would just be crippling them in one way or the other.

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This belief came out after a new study found drug- Pitrakinra more potent in fighting asthma. According to latest study, Pitrakinra users reported up to three and a half times less breathlessness when compared to those using “dummy” treatment.

The latest development could certainly be taken as the beginning of a new epoch against asthma, which is responsible for around 70,000 hospital admissions and 1,400 deaths, annually. Another thing adding to its significance is the fact that this new development has came out at the time when traditionally used drugs are fast losing their grip over asthma.

However, how far it the latest drug would be effective against asthma only time will tell, as it’s not likely to come in the market before 3 to 5 years.

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The study was conducted by a team of researchers led by Dr. Brian Taylor at Emory Crawford Long Hospital in Atlanta. In their study, the team took data from the U.S. National Asthma Survey.

Dr. Brian Taylor, said in a prepared statement:

Our analysis showed that out of more than 3,000 patients who have asthma, obese patients were 66% more likely to report continuous symptoms, 36% more likely to miss more days of work and 52% more likely to be classified as having either moderate or severe persistent asthma when compared to slim people.

The findings come true when the team of researchers considered following factors — gender of patients, their race, age, smoking habit, and finally historical background of asthma in family.

Taylor and his team found that obese people were mostly uneducated or less educated, not employed and were Afro-American.

The researchers also discovered that obese people — who have asthma frequently visit the emergency room and used more rescue inhaler medications and used inhaled steroids to control asthma. The link between obesity and asthma severity considered to be stronger in case of women than in men.

Although the link between obesity and asthma is still not known, but it is considered that severe asthma may reduce the activity of a person, which may end in weight gain. The scientists also mentioned that a hormone called leptin may also be responsible.

The hormone ‘leptin’ is manufactured by fat cells and serves important part in body’s weight regulation. Earlier studies have mentioned that this hormone may lead to inflammation of airways in asthma patients.

The findings of the study were presented at the American Thoracic Society 2007 International Conference in San Francisco.

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A new study has come to provide that extra relaxation for you. It says that adverse obstetric or pediatric complications are generally not increased in women with asthma.

Though, previous studies have linked asthma in women with the possibility of increased pregnancy complication-risks, those have been found with various statistical shortcomings.

The authors of the study said,

Our results provide reassuring evidence that the risks of most adverse pregnancy outcomes and obstetric complications are similar to those in women without asthma.

With the possible exception of increased vigilance in monitoring certain complications in pregnant women with asthma, our findings do not indicate a necessity to alter current practice of optimal (asthma drug therapy) in women of child-bearing age in the general population.

So, if ever any complication relating to your pregnancy rises, don’t link it to your being an asthma patient at the first place.

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Experts reached this conclusion after studying about 700 children in the Greek island of Crete, during which they found that Mediterranean foods protected them against the common allergies, which may trigger severe breathing difficulties. Firmly transpiring these findings UK experts said:

The study, in Thorax, added to existing evidence that diet could help control asthma symptoms.

Interestingly, eating nuts was also found protective against asthma symptoms. Here it is worth mentioning that nuts contain vitamin E, thus provides protection against cell damage, caused by free radicals. In addition, Vitamin E has also been found carrying asthma-fighting properties. Moreover, nuts are known to have high levels of magnesium, which other researches have suggested may protect against asthma and boost lung power.

In brief, it would be correct to say that by eating diet rich in fruit, vegetables, nuts we may hope to have better protection against respiratory allergies and asthma.

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Via: Independent

This study further found that children who had lived within 500 yards of a highway from the age of 10, had significantly less lung function by the time they reached 18 than youngsters exposed to less traffic pollution. Telling more about this study Dr. David A. Schwartz, director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences said:

This study shows there are health effects from childhood exposure to traffic exhaust that can last a lifetime.

On the basis of this study, it can definitely be said that people living near highways or the areas where traffic-borne pollution is higher, are at higher risk of developing several respiratory diseases. Actually, this finding points to a serious threat, which is hovering over all of us. Because by and by traffic-borne pollution is coming out of the limitations of highways and shrouding more and more areas thus covering other areas too under its dingy pall, confirming the fact that susceptibility of kids towards respiratory diseases is augmenting constantly, which is a deplorable issue. Moreover, we can also not keep a blind eye to the several other side effects that comes out from traffic pollution. Here are a few references:-

• Traffic pollution ‘kills thousands’

• Traffic ‘damages male fertility.

• Traffic Pollution Tied to Asthma in Kids.

• Tackling concern about the risks to health of pollution from road traffic.

• Respiratory ills in kids linked to traffic pollution.

Via: MSNBC

Although this treatment was carved out long ago in the 1960s at Papworth Hospital, Cambridgeshire, yet no trails were ever carried out to test its efficacy. However, Drs. Elizabeth A. Holloway and Robert J. West, from University College London studied the affect of Papworth method in around 85 asthma patients and concluded that Papworth method was quite effective in lowering asthma symptoms in these patients.

Whatever has come out from this observation has further bolstered the reliability of Papworth method. Expressing similar view, authors say:

To our knowledge, this is the first evidence from a controlled trial to demonstrate the effectiveness of the Papworth method.

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Via: Reuters

According to a recent study published in the latest edition of the journal Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, a diet rich in fish and fruity vegetables (tomatoes and eggplants) helps to reduce attacks of wheezing and asthma in children.

The study was conducted for a seven year period, and followed the progress of 232 boys and 228 girls from the prenatal stage to age six and a half.

Dr Leda Chatzi, author of the study from the Department of Social Medicine at the University of Crete, said,

after adjusting the results for a wide range of variables, we concluded that the link between symptom-free children and a diet rich in fruity vegetables and fish was statistically significant.

Do you know fish is the world’s primary source of high-quality protein? One of the reasons for its popularity is due to that fact that it can eaten in a variety of different ways, sometimes even by not cooking (sashimi) or by just marinating it (escabeche).

Do you know fish; especially the salt water ones are very rich in the heart-friendly ingredient Omega 3 fatty acids?

Not only is fish good for the heart, but even its oil is considered to be very good for the brain development of children.

So if you want to see your children asthma free, introduce more fish and fruity vegetables in your children’s diets and watch them grow into beautiful and healthy adults.

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Yes, even after consistent medication, your child’s asthma may not stay under control.

This is what a new study presented at the American Thoracic Society 2007 International Conference suggested.

It has been found that children who consistently been reported to have inhaled steroid were 20% less likely to have well-controlled asthma than those who didn’t use any inhaled steroids.

Researcher Gregory Sawicki, M.D. of Children’s Hospital in Boston said,

There may be several reasons for our findings; It is possible that some children are genetically less responsive to steroids.

In addition to issues of medication adherence and inability to completely control for differences in underlying asthma, severity can never be completely ruled out.

This study would surely help researchers with a clear picture of real-world asthma management, and thus the ways of its practice.

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These results were put forth after analyzing data from U.S. National Asthma Survey and presented in a study on the same at international conference of the American Thoracic Society in San Francisco. Dr. Brian Taylor, a pulmonary fellow who is involved with this study said,

“Our analysis showed that out of more than 3,000 patients with asthma, obese patients were 66 percent more likely to report continuous symptoms, 36 percent more likely to miss more days of work and 52 percent more likely to be classified as having either moderate or severe persistent asthma when compared to non-overweight people.”

A possible reason as to why obese patients are more affected by asthma could be attributed to the hormone leptin produced by adipocytes. According to previous studies, this hormone may be responsible for airway inflammation as seen in asthma cases. In addition, reduced physical activity owing to asthma may be a cause for weight gain in asthma patients.
However, research that is more detailed needs to be conducted to establish precisely how obesity and asthma severity are linked. But in the mean time addressing the obesity problem will not only benefit in reducing the severity of asthma but also in keeping other lifestyle related diseases in check.

Image: Sabcnews

Via: Yahoo

Though a recent finding triggers worries among doctors and parents that ‘inhaled steroids may be inadequate for some children with asthma’ here is a better natural and healthy solution to it.

Let your child drink plenty of apple juice. You might be pondering on the how apple juice is linked to asthma control. Scientists recently have found that children who drink lots of apple juice may be less likely to develop symptoms of asthma.

But, surprisingly, it is also found that apparently eating fresh apples themselves is of no benefit for asthma children, though a healthy diet rich in anti-oxidants and vitamins has been previously found to be good for asthma.

True, no link between apple juice consumption and a reduced chance of an actual asthma diagnosis was found, but, the link between wheezing and drinking the juice was found to be quite strong.

Interestingly and importantly, for treating asthma, the apple juice need not have to be fresh. Long-life juices made from concentrate can also be effective.

This finding, thus, provides a cheaper solution for poorer asthma children, whose parents can’t afford to buy those expensive inhalers.

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This is really shocking because in the last decades we have been noticing a boom in ‘red tide’, which confirms the fact that incoming time is bound to bring tougher challenge, especially for asthmatics.

However, it would also not be wrong to say that others will also have to bear the brunt. Therefore, responsibility comes to the shoulder of our scientists that they should try to carve out a way to avoid the bad implications of this deadly ‘red tide’.

Image credit: Soft Pedia

Via: Science Daily

An apple a day keeps the doctor away. Well, the saying is apt for all...including pregnant mommies. Ladies, who are heavy with child, should consume apples and the easy way can ensure their to-be-born baby would be protected from developing asthma later in life. Cool, isn’t it?

The study done by researchers from Netherlands and Scotland tracked dietary intake by nearly 2,000 pregnant women and examined the effects of the maternal diet on airway development in more than 1,200 of their children five years later.

According to science portal EurekAlert, the researchers found that the children of mothers who had apples had considerably cut down on risk of developing asthma and childhood wheezing.

Asthma, being a never-ending ailment of the airways, gives rise to attacks of wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness and coughing. And there is no permanent treatment for the disease; however symptoms sometimes decrease over time. An appropriate self-management and medical treatment can endow the lot with a normal life.

Via - mumbaimirror