Obesity: a risk factor for Asthma

Obesity has been rapidly increasing in prevalence over the past two decades—in children as well as in adults. Although obesity is a recognized risk factor for type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, atherosclerosis, and some forms of cancer, evidence suggests that obesity may also contribute to or even cause asthma.

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Top 10 Yoga Asana to relive Asthma

In this condition, the airways of the lungs are constricted, causing tightness in the chest, bouts of coughing, wheezing, and breathing difficulties.  The inflammation of the air passages can become chronic.  Asthma is usually caused by allergies or stress. Yoga has come a long way to heal and manage asthma.

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Asthma: a chronic condition

Asthma is a chronic condition of the lungs that has two main components. Two things happen inside the lungs of women suffering with Asthma—constriction, the tightening of the muscles surrounding the airways, and inflammation, the swelling and irritation of the airways. Constriction and inflammation cause narrowing of the airways, by a combination of muscle spasm, mucosal swelling and bronchial secretion with symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, or shortness of breath. Furthermore, there is increasing evidence that, if left untreated, asthma can cause long-term loss of lung function. 

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Asthma & Diet

Asthma results when triggers cause swelling of the tissues in the air passages of the lung, making it difficult to breathe. Typical symptoms of asthma include wheezing, shortness of breath, and coughing. Food triggered asthma is unusual. Although food allergies may trigger asthma in a small number of people.  Check out how diet can affect asthma in different ways.
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Exercise for Relaxation

Like As well as helping your body to relax by reducing muscle tension, these stretch exercises can be done to increase flexibility or to ease muscles, or cool down after exercising.  Ease your body into these stretches: you should not be jumping or bouncing around, and the exercises are not supposed to be uncomfortable.  Remember to breathe slowly and rhythmically too.

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Asthma and Pregnancy

Pregnant women with asthma are not necessarily ‘high risk’ patients. In fact, asthma can follow a curious pattern in pregnant patients. One third of women experience no change in their asthma during pregnancy, one third actually notice an improvement when they are pregnant, and one third may experience a flare-up of their asthma during this time. Since there is no index to predict which way a patient will react, it is necessary to closely follow every pregnant asthma patient.

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Exercise and Asthma

Asthma is a lung disease that is usually chronic and can be life-threatening, if not managed properly. With proper management, most people can lead a normal, active life.

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Managing Allergies during pregnancy

Pregnancy is a time of intense change within the female body.   The hormones of pregnancy have  steroidal type effects and which can dampen down allergies.

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Spreading Allergy Awareness

Allergists define allergy as a reaction of the body's immune system that take place after the body becomes sensitized to a substance (allergen), usually a protein. Allergic reactions result when allergy-causing proteins combine with antibodies to trigger the release of histamine and other chemicals that can cause skin rashes and various other symptoms

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The Ins and Outs of Allergy

What is an allergy and what is it that causes some people to suffer from them? Why do allergies flare up during certain times of the year? Learn about the basics of allergies and what strategies can help.

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Help For Kids With Hay Fever

Allergies can leave children feeling sniffly, teary and itchy and take their toll at play and at school. Previously, allergy remedies left children feeling foggy and tired, but today there are a variety of choices for all ages that can take care of symptoms without the unwanted side effects.

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Why Asthma Must be Controlled in Pregnancy

Controlling asthma during pregnancy is extremely important, for the health of both mother and baby. Listen to experts explain what can happen if a woman's persistent asthma goes unchecked in the nine months before delivery.

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How Safe are Asthma Drugs Used in Pregnancy?

Drugs receive special scrutiny for safety when used by pregnant women. How do the drugs used to control asthma compare? Listen in as experts explain.

 

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Did You Know?
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There are two types of medications used to treat asthma symptoms

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Triggers for asthma in very young children differ from those in older children

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Patterns of asthma symptoms can change as a child goes through puberty

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An adult with asthma is likely to have had it a long time

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Certain bugs can trigger asthma attacks

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Allergies can affect your child's performance in school

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Allergy shots contain small amounts of the substance you’re allergic to

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The worldwide increase in allergy may be because our environment is too clean

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Having a pet during childhood might protect you from developing allergies

 

Do You Know the Symptoms of Asthma?

Asthma strikes a surprisingly large number of Americans. For some it is a nuisance, to others it can be serious. Listen to experts talk about the prevalence of asthma, and what people can do about it.

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Is it Seasonal or Chronic Allergies?

What time of the year is allergy season? Actually, it's all year long for some allergy sufferers. Learn the difference between seasonal and year-round allergies, and the treatments available for both.

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Asthma

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Asthma 101

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Asthma strikes a surprisingly large number of Americans. For some it is a nuisance, to others it can be serious. Listen to experts talk about the prevalence of asthma, and what people can do about it.

 

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Related Fast Facts

Fast Fact: What goals can be achieved in treating asthma?

 

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How to Avoid Asthma Attacks

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If you've ever experienced an asthma attack, you know how frustrating and unpleasant it can be. And since anything from strong perfume to extreme temperatures can trigger an attack, living with asthma can be a daily challenge. Fortunately, many attacks can be prevented once you've identified your personal triggers. Join Dr. Chris Winslow for some helpful tips on getting through your day attack-free.

 

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The Basics of Asthma Treatment

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Living with asthma is no walk in the park. Every day, asthma sufferers confront circumstances that may trigger an asthma attack. But there are medications that can effectively control this disease. Join expert Dr. Chris Winslow as he talks about the latest asthma prevention strategies, and discusses the correct ways to use them.

 

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Controlling Asthma During Pregnancy

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Controlling asthma during pregnancy is extremely important, for the health of both mother and baby. Listen to experts explain what can happen if a woman's persistent asthma goes unchecked in the nine months before delivery.

 

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Treating Asthma During Pregnancy: Choosing the Right Medicine

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Drugs receive special scrutiny for safety when used by pregnant women. How do the drugs used to control asthma compare? Listen in as experts explain.

 

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Pregnancy and Asthma: Communicating With Your Doctor

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Managing asthma in pregnancy requires special expertise. Listen to expert advice on how a woman should work with her doctors to make sure her asthma hurts neither herself nor her unborn child.

 

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Asthma in Adolescents: Dealing With New Challenges

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Being a teen can be difficult. Being a teen with asthma poses extra challenges. There may be changes in the characteristics of their symptoms due to puberty, and distractions may make them less aware. Listen as experts discuss how to help adolescents face asthma.

 

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Related Fast Facts

Fast Fact: Is it true that males sometimes "outgrow" asthma during adolescence?

 

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Asthma in Kids Under 5

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Up to 10% of children in the United States have asthma, and asthma control is key to preventing long-term problems. National treatment guidelines recommend inhaled corticosteroids to control symptoms in very young children with persistent asthma. Listen to experts discuss the options available for children under the age of five.

 

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Related Fast Facts

Fast Fact: How is asthma diagnosed in the young child?

 

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Treatment of Asthma in Children 5-12

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Most kids with asthma will have their first episode before they go to school. But as kids get older their asthma triggers often change. The best treatment is a two-pronged approach to care: prevention and treatment. Listen to experts talk about options for school-aged kids.

 

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Related Fast Facts

Fast Fact: How safe are inhaled steroids in children with asthma?

 

Featured Articles

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Taking a Breather From Asthma Medication

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Remembering to take your daily medications if you have mild persistent asthma may not be easy, especially if you don't suffer from daily symptoms. However, a new study says that these controller medications may not be as necessary for symptom relief as previously thought.

 

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Do Christmas Trees Make You Sneeze and Wheeze?

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Some people spend most of the fall eagerly awaiting the piney smell and warm glow of a live Christmas tree. For others who celebrate Christmas, indoor trees, not to mention greenery-draped mantles and cinnamon-scented candles, bring little more than a runny nose and a tight feeling in their chest.

 

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Alternatives for Allergies and Asthma: Proceed with Caution

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Americans are turning to complementary and alternative (CAM) therapies to treat their allergies and asthma. Find out why experts say people have to be cautious about what they ingest, inject or practice when it comes to treating their sneezing, coughing and wheezing.

 

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The Pregnancy Pickle: What is Safe for Treating Asthma?

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There has been concern that the use of some asthma medications during pregnancy might lead to complications. But a recent study suggests that these medications are safe for the mother and baby.

 

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Getting Back in the Game: The Link Between Asthma and Exercise

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If your child often ends up watching his or her sports team from the sidelines because breathing during play is a struggle, he or she may be one of the more than 6 million children with asthma.

 

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Asthma in Very Young Children

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For any parent, watching your child struggle to breath during an asthma attack is a terrifying experience. Asthma in children under age five may be particularly frightening because they are not always able to communicate about what is occurring. Properly treating very young children with asthma is important, however, in order to prevent asthma attacks and allow them to lead active lives.

 

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Breathing Easy in School

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Asthma and allergies can be effectively managed in a school environment, but parents have a key role to play. Learn what you need to know.

 

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Asthma and Adolescents

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Taking an asthma inhaler is often the last thing on the mind of a teenager, even one who is coughing or wheezing regularly. Adolescents are often more concerned with their schoolwork and social life than their medication. But it's important that adolescents maintain their asthma therapy, because untreated asthma can severely affect one's ability to lead an active life.

 

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Sticking to the Schedule: Why People Don't Take Their Asthma Medication

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Asthma rates are increasing nationwide, and asthma is a particularly alarming problem in inner-city African-American communities. A new study examines some barriers to sticking with asthma medication programs.

 

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Practical Home Treatment for Asthmatic Children

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This article addresses some home treatments and prevention for asthma.

 

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Asthma and COPD

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Dr. John Ilowite discusses the differences between asthma and COPD or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. He discusses the symptoms, treatment and prevention of asthma and COPD.

 

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Persistent Asthma and GERD: Have You Passed the Acid Test?

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Pets, dust and feathers can all trigger asthma. But did you know that acid reflux disease can also be the underlying cause of your asthma? Find out how to determine if its affecting you.

 

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You Can Control Your Asthma Triggers

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This article offers a practical approach to minimizing asthma attacks through prudent avoidance of asthma triggers.

 

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Avoiding Asthma Triggers

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Approximately 15 million Americans suffer from chronic asthma. Exposure to environmental triggers, which irritate breathing airways, can bring about episodes of wheezing, coughing and difficulty breathing. Asthma experts recommend limiting contact with triggers as part of a program of good asthma control to prevent or reduce episodes.

 

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Treating and Controlling Your Asthma

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Treatment modalities for asthma are discussed in this comprehensive article.

 

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Childhood Asthma - What Is It?

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Dr. Lessin provides and easy-to-understand introduction to childhood asthma, outlining its causes and diagnosis.

 

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Treatment Of Childhood Asthma

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This is a comprehensive article devoted to the prevention and treatment of childhood asthma attacks. Dr. Lessin reviews the current medications and treatment strategies to keep young asthmatics healthy.

 

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Status Asthmaticus

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Dr. Groth walks through a case illustrating the seriousness of this potentially fatal complication of asthma. In this article, status asthmaticus is defined and the reader is educated about its treatment.

 

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Asthma and Pregnancy

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Questions concerning asthma and pregnancy are answered in this article, that offers general information regarding asthma in a pregnant woman.

 

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Do Hormonal Cycles Affect Asthma?

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We all know that estrogen and progesterone are critical players in a woman's reproductive process. But could these hormones also improve her breathing? According to a recent report published in the March issue of Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, there is strong evidence that estrogen and progesterone may actually improve lung function and asthma.

 

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Demystifying Drug Categories for Pregnant Women

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When women first learn they are pregnant most will embark on a program of good nutrition, exercise and general wellness to avoid causing harm to themselves and their growing baby. Although some women may forgo treatments without any health consequences, mothers who require medication for a chronic health condition will be faced with a dilemma.

 

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Steroids Essential to Treatment of Asthma

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Two recent reports by the Asthma Clinical Research Network of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, examined the effects of replacing an ICS, or a controller medication, with a long-acting beta-agonist.

 

 

 

Allergies

 

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The Basics of Allergy

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What is an allergy and what is it that causes some people to suffer from them? Why do allergies flare up during certain times of the year? Learn about the basics of allergies and what strategies can help.

 

Watch VideoRead Transcript

 

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Is it a Cold or an Allergy?

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When you have watery eyes, a runny nose, congestion and sneezing, how can you tell if it's a cold or an allergy? Find out the difference and the treatment options for both.

 

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Seasonal and Chronic Allergies

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What time of the year is allergy season? Actually, it's all year long for some allergy sufferers. Learn the difference between seasonal and year-round allergies, and the treatments available for both.

 

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Springtime Allergies

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Millions suffer from springtime allergies. But experts do have a handle on what sufferers can do to cope with this common problem. Allergies no longer need to ruin anyone's springtime fun.

 

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Kids and Allergies

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Allergies can leave children feeling sniffly, teary and itchy and take their toll at play and at school. Previously, allergy remedies left children feeling foggy and tired, but today there are a variety of choices for all ages that can take care of symptoms without the unwanted side effects.

 

Watch VideoRead Transcript

 

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The Right Treatment for Your Allergies

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People with allergies have a range of treatment options available from over-the-counter products to prescription medicines. Learn the differences among these varying treatments and which products can work best for your symptoms.

 

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Life-Threatening Allergic Reactions: What is Anaphylaxis?

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Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening allergic reaction. Those who experience it must take immediate steps to rel